The terms and descriptions provided in this glossary have been completed with the help of several sources:

• National Human Genome Research Institute - Talking Glossary
• Human Genome Project Information
• PhRMA Genomics (no longer online)
• Word Central's Student Dictionary (Merriam Webster)

Sources are listed with the definitions.

EFG

Electrophoresis

The process in which molecules (such as proteins, DNA, or RNA fragments) can be separated according to size and electrical charge by applying an electric current to them. The current forces the molecules through pores in a thin layer of gel, a firm jelly-like substance. The gel can be made so that its pores are just the right dimensions for separating molecules within a specific range of sizes and shapes. Smaller fragments usually travel further than large ones. The process is sometimes called gel electrophoresis. [Talking Glossary]

Embryo

An animal in the early stage of development before birth (in humans, the embryo stage is the first three months following conception).
Source: Human Genome Project Information

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

A network of membranous tubules in the cytoplasm of a cell, endoplasmic reticulum is involved in the production of proteins, and other functions. Rough ER is studded with ribosomes; smooth ER is not.

Environment

The non-genetic conditions and circumstances that affect a person's behaviour and health.

Enzyme

A protein that encourages a biochemical reaction, usually speeding it up. Organisms could not function if they didn't have enzymes. [Talking Glossary]

Ethical issues

Questions that concern what is moral or right.

Eukaryote

A cell or organism with membrane-bound, structurally discrete nucleus and other well-developed subcellular compartments. Eukaryotes include all organisms except viruses, bacteria, and bluegreen algae.
Source: Human Genome Project Information

Evolution

The process by which all forms of plant and animal life change slowly over time because of slight variations in the genes that one generation passes down to the next.

Foetus

An animal in the later stage of development before birth (in humans, the foetal stage is from the end of the third month until birth).

Gene

The functional and physical units of heredity passed from parent to offspring, genes are pieces of DNA stored in the cell nucleus. They are the recipes for making proteins. Each gene consists of several thousand code words. Each person's cells contains the same unique and complete set of genes.[Talking Glossary]

Gene therapy

An evolving technique used to treat inherited diseases. The medical procedure involves replacing, manipulating, or supplementing non-functional genes with healthy genes, in order to affect their function. [Talking Glossary]

Genetically modified organism (GMO)

An organism whose genetic make-up has been changed by any method, including natural processes, genetic engineering, cloning or mutagenesis.
Source: Human Genome Project Information

Genetic code (ATCG)

The instructions in a gene that tell the cell how to make a specific protein, A, T, C and G are the "letters" of the DNA code. They stand for the chemicals: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine, respectively, that make up the nucleotide bases of DNA. Each gene's code combines the four chemicals in various ways to spell out 3-letter "words" that specify which amino acid is needed at every step in making a protein. [Talking Glossary]

Genetic engineering

The artificial introduction of changes to the genes in a cell.
Source: Human Genome Project Information

Genetic profile

A collection of information about a person's genes.
Source: Human Genome Project Information

Genetics

The field of science that looks at how traits are passed down from one generation to another, through the genes.
Source: Human Genome Project Information

Genome

The complete package of genetic material for a living thing, a genome is one copy of the entire DNA in a cell of an organism (animal, plant or microbe) and includes both the chromosomes within the nucleus and the DNA in mitochondria. A copy of the genome is found in most cells. Our genome is 3 400 000 000 base pairs, packaged into 23 pairs of chromosomes: bacteria may have only 1 500 000 base pairs in one chromosome. [Talking Glossary]

Genomics

The study of genes and their functions.

Germ cells

The cells of the body involved in reproduction. Sperm of the male and eggs of the female are formed from germ cells.
Source: Human Genome Project Information

Golgi complex (Golgi apparatus)

The Golgi complex refers to organelles in animal cells made up of a series of sacs that sort, modify, and package proteins produced on the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Guanine

One of the four bases in DNA that make up the letters ATCG, guanine is the "G". The others are adenine, cytosine, and thymine. Guanine always pairs with cytosine. [Talking Glossary]