Genomics Glossary for What Makes a Nerve Cell Different

scientific name for grasshopper

a respiratory disease which usually results from an allergic reaction or other forms of hypersensitivity

Paired nucleotides that make up DNA and RNA. Following specific hydrogen-bonding patterns, DNA has adenine(A)-thymine(T) and guanine(G)-cytosine(C) base pairings. Similarly, RNA has adenine-uracil(U) and guanine-cytosine base pairings

scientists with multidisciplinary training in computer science and biology who are equipped to answer important biological questions based on analyzing and interpreting huge biological-based datasets

a gene that can cause breast cancer if it is mutated

a disease caused by an abnormal cells dividing uncontrollably in a part of the body

A protein that functions as channel for movement of chloride ions in and out of cells. In other words, this protein regulates a balance between salt and water on epithelial surfaces, such as in the lung or pancreas.

the molecule that encodes the information for all the characteristics or traits about an organism

a unit of DNA that controls specific traits

a vocabulary to describe gene products in terms of their associated biological processes, cellular components and molecular functions in a species-independent manner.

the study of a large number of genes and their interactions and/or of entire genomes (all of the DNA in an organism) to learn what kind of information is coded in these DNA sequences and how the DNA instructions are carried out

a disease which causes a breakdown of nerve cells in the brain that affects an individual’s ability to think, speak and move.

the specific location and position on a chromosome of a gene's DNA sequence

1 million base pairs

a cell that carries messages between the brain and other parts of the body. It is also called a "nerve cell" and is the basic unit of the nervous system.

the loss of the ability to move in part or most of the body

10^-12 grams

the act of replacing something that was lost

a technique that reveals the presence and quantity of RNA in a biological sample at a given moment in time.

a genetic disorder that causes red blood cells to take on a deformed sickle shape instead of their normal disk shape, leading to poor circulation, pain, and anemia (low blood cell count).

unspecialized cells that are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods (self-renewal) as well as give rise to specialized cells. Different stem cell types have different limitations as to what type of specialized cells they can differentiate into.