| germ line transformation | Micro injection of foreign DNA into an early embryo, so that it becomes incorporated into the germ line of the individual and thus stably inherited in subsequent generations of transgenic organisms. Typically, the DNA would be a reporter gene or cDNA in a vector such as a transposon, that might also carry a visible marker gene such as eye or coat colour), so that successful transformation could readily be detected. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| germ nucleus | <cell biology> The smaller nucleus in ciliate protozoans, fully active in inheritance and passed after meiosis to conjugating pairs. Gives rise to the macronucleus or macronuclei. Genes in the micronucleus are not actively transcribed. (18 Nov 1997) |
| germ plasm | The liquid portion of a gamete (egg or sperm) that contains genetic material. (09 Oct 1997) |
| germ theory | The theory, now a doctrine, that infectious diseases are due to the presence and functional activity of microorganisms within the body. (05 Mar 2000) |
| germ tube | A young hypha growing out of a yeast cell or spore, the beginning of a mycelium; also used as a rapid test for differentiating Candida albicans from other Candida species. (05 Mar 2000) |
| germ tube test | A test for the identification of Candida albicans; after a 3-hr incubation in serum, an inoculum of Candida develops tubelike appendages. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Weismann germ plasm theory | <genetics> The theory that organisms maintain genetic continuity from organism to offspring through the germ line cells (germ plasm) and that the other (somatic) cells play no part in the transmission of heritable factors. (18 Nov 1997) |
| wheat germ | <plant biology> The embryonic plant at the tip of the seed of wheat. Wheat germ has been used as the starting material for a cell free translation system and is also the source of wheat germ agglutinin. (18 Nov 1997) |
| wheat germ agglutinin | <plant biology> Lectin from wheat germ that binds to N acetylglucosaminyl and sialic acid residues. See: lectins. (18 Nov 1997) |
| wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase conjugate | <chemical> The lectin wheatgerm agglutinin conjugated to the enzyme horseradish peroxidase. It is widely used for tracing neural pathways. Pharmacological action: molecular probes. (12 Dec 1998) |
| wheat germ agglutinins | Lectins purified from the germinating seeds of common wheat (triticum vulgare); these bind to certain carbohydrate moieties on cell surface glycoproteins and are used to identify certain cell populations and inhibit or promote some immunological or physiological activities. There are at least two isoforms of this lectin. (12 Dec 1998) |
| wheat germ oil | An oil obtained by expression from the germ of the wheat seed, Triticum aestivum (family Gramineae); one of the richest sources of natural vitamin E; used as a nutritional supplement. (05 Mar 2000) |
| primordial germ cell | The most primitive undifferentiated sex cell, found initially outside the gonad. Synonym: gonocyte. (05 Mar 2000) |
| neoplasms, germ cell and embryonal | Neoplasms composed of primordial germ cells of embryonic gonads or of elements of the germ layers of the embryo. The concept does not refer to neoplasms located in the gonads or present in an embryo or foetus. (12 Dec 1998) |
| dental germ | The collective tissues from which an entire tooth is formed, including the dental sac, enamel organ, and dental papilla. (12 Dec 1998) |