Glossary of key terms
Aequorea victoria
A luminescent jellyfish, part of the hydrozoan taxonomic class. One of its proteins, gfp, or green fluorescent protein has been incredibly useful in scientific studies.
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Antisense
A strand of complementary nucleotides to a specific mRNA. When an antisense RNA joins with a normal mRNA, translation is blocked either due to the blockage of ribosomes or the degredation of the RNA by ribonuclease.
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Cell lineage
The history of a cell, from all of its precursor cells, during development.
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Connectome
A full map of neurons in the nervous system. It was completed for C. elegans in 1982
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Dauer state
A stage in development into which the C. elegans worm can enter in adverse conditions. In this state, the worm can markedly increase its life span.
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Gastrulation
Reorganisation of the blastula during development into a new structure, the gastrula. During this process, the Ectoderm, Mesoderm and Endoderm are formed. These are known as the Germ layers.
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Gene expression
The mechanism by which a functional gene product is created from the original gene on the DNA. An example is protein formation where DNA is transcribed into RNA, then translated into a functional protein.
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Genetic screen
Attempts to identify the function of an unknown gene, or identify the unknown effect of a known gene by deliberate mutation of the target gene.
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Homolog
Genetics:
Separate genes related by a common ancestor genotype.
Evolution:
Characteristics similar in different species due to a common ancestor phenotype.
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In Vivo
Experimenting on a whole, living organism in contrast to experimenting using a single cell culture or dead organism.
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Model organism
A species which can be experimented on in order to gain information about similar organisms.
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Nematode
A roundworm, part of a huge family with thousands of different types, many of which are parasitc.
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Phototoxicity
A toxic reaction caused by light - which is thought to form harmful oxygen radicals.
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