Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A gene in com (maize) that (when present in the DNA of a given plant) causes that plant to produce seed that contains higher-than normal levels of lysine, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and manganese.  

The cells, produced by ovaries, that eventually become an ovum (“egg cell”) via meiosis. An ovum in an immature stage of development. A cell which forms from an oogonium and becomes an ovum by meiosis. A human egg; also called a female gametocyte or ovocyte. An oocyte carries the female half of the chromosomes that,…

More properly called “η-3 fatty acids.”  

Short chain fragments of DNA that are used in various gene analysis tests (e.g., the single base change in DNA that causes sickle-cell anemia).  

Synonymous with oligodeoxyribonucleotide, they are short chains of nucleotides (i.e., single-stranded DNA or RNA) that have been synthesized (i.e., made) by chemically linking together a number of specific nucleotides. Oligonucleotides (also called, simply “oligos”) are used as synthetic (i.e., man-made) genes, DNA probes, and in site-directed mutagenesis. A compound made up of a small number…

A relatively short (the prefix “oligo-” means few, slight) chain molecule (polymer) that is made up of repeating units (e.g., XAXAXAXA or XXAAXXAAXXAA, etc.). Short polymers consisting of only two repeating units are called dimers, those of three repeating units are called trimers. Longer units are called polymers (i.e., many units). As a rule of…

A protein that enhances people’s ability to smell odorants in trace quantities much lower than those needed to activate olfactory (i.e., smelling) nerves. The protein accomplishes this by latching onto (odorant) molecules and enhancing their aroma. Hence, it acts as a kind of “helper’ entity in bringing about the ability to smell certain odorants present…