Resources

List by Alphabet: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

a Related Biological Terms:

branch migration

(see Holliday model)

branch site

In RNA splicing, the site to which the 5'-guanylate at the end of an intron is joined to an adenylate residue within the intron through a 2',5'-phosphodiester bond to form a 'lariat' intermediate. (see also self-splicing)

branch-point

A single metabolite that is an intermediate in two or more biosynthetic pathways, e.g. pyruvate (a precursor of acetyl-CoA, alanine and oxaloacetate), chorismic acid (a precursor of phenylalanine, tryptophan and tyrosine).

branch-point sequence (BPS)

The sequence near the 3'-end of an intron of nuclear mRNA that contains the adenosine residue which, as the intron is excised, will accept the guanosine residue at the 5'-end of the intron.(see also pre-mRNA splicing)Maniatis, T. (1991) Science 251, 33-34

breakthrough organism

A progenote; in early evolution, the first organism able to transmit genetic information, even if with only marginal fidelity. Benner, S.A. and Ellington, A.D. (1990) Science 248, 943-944

bricolage

In evolutionary theory, the hit-or-miss recruitment and adaptation of pre-existing genes or materials for new functionsDuboule, D. and Wilkins, A.S. (1998) Trends Genet. 14, 54-59

brown adipose tissue

Thermogenic fatty tissue with a high content of relatively uncoupled mitochondria; especially prominent in infants, located around the kidneys and neck.

browning reaction (Maillard reaction)

Covalent reactions that occur on heating proteins; the formation of cross-links between side chains and with carbohydrates.

buffer capacity

A measure of the ability of a solution to maintain its pH in the face of the addition of acid or alkali; a capacity of 1 when 1 mol of acid (or alkali) is added to 1 litre causes a pH fall (or rise) of 1 pH unit.

buffer value

(= buffer capacity)

< 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 > Total Pages 251

If you know of any terms that have been omitted from this glossary that you feel would be useful to include, please send detail to the Editorial Office at GenScript: website@genscript.com

If your term is adopted, we will send 1,000 EzCoupon points to your GenScript account.