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An edible oil that is produced within its beans (seeds) by the soybean plant (botanical name Glycine max (L.) Merrill). When removed from soybeans via crushing and refining processes, soybean oil is (historical average) composed of 60.8% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), 24.5% monounsaturated fatty acids, and 15.1% saturated fatty acids. However, soybean varieties have recently…

Microscopic round worms living in the soil, which feed parasitically on roots of the soybean plant. The nematodes use a spear-like mouthpart, called a stylet, to puncture the plant’s root cells so the nematodes can eat their cell contents. That root damage causes the soybean’s growth to be stunted, and the plants turn yellow because…

Category of hormone that is produced naturally in the bodies of all mammals, including man. Growth hormone (GH) secreted by the anterior pituitary. A growth hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland triggers the growth spurt of adolescence. Human growth hormone. It increases the rate of cell division and protein synthesis in growing tissues, mobilizes…

A 14 amino acid peptide that inhibits the release of growth hormone. A hormone produced in the hypothalamus which helps to prevent the release of the growth hormone. Hormone released by D cells of pancreatic islets and other organs (intestine, brain, etc.); serves as an appetite suppressant. A peptide responsible for the regulation and inhibition…

A family of peptides that mediates the action of growth hormone on skeletal tissue, and stimulates bone formation. Proteins produced by the liver and other tissues that, in conjunction with growth hormone, stimulate growth. These compounds are closely related to insulin; their secretion is reduced in untreated diabetes and restored to normal by insulin treatment.…

Regenerated plants (i.e., clones) that were derived (produced) from cells that originally came from the same plant—that are not genetically identical. Such plants (clones) are called “sports” or somatic variants because they vary (genetically) from the “parent” plant. Sometimes, such somatic variants are developed by man to become a new plant variety (e.g., the nectarine…

The genetic variation (i.e., new traits) that results from the growing of entire new plants from plant cells or tissues (e.g., maintained in culture). Frequently encountered when plants are regenerated (grown) from plant cells that have been altered via genetic engineering. However, somaclonal variation (i.e., new genetic traits) can occur even when plants are regenerated…

A synthetic version of the CD4 protein that may interfere with the ability of HIV (i.e., AIDS) viruses to infect the human immune system cells with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) virus.  

An extracellular (i.e., outside of the cell) material that is produced by some (micro)organisms, characterized by a slimy consistency. The slime is of varied chemical composition. However, usual components are polysaccharides (polysugars) and specific protein molecules.  

A chemical (ester) that is derived from sitosterol (a sterol that is present in pine trees, and can be extracted from those trees). It can also be extracted from fibers (e.g., the hull or seed coat) of corn/maize (Zea mays) or soybeans (Glycine max L.). When sitostanol is ingested by humans in sufficient quantities, it…