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As a result of biotechnology becoming such a highly prolific area, non-technical people, such as lobbyists, attorneys, marketing, and public relations people, have had to quickly become conversant about a topic that is highly technical. In addition, various specialists working in the field of biotechnology, including chemists, geneticists, and biologists, occasionally have difficulty in understanding the terms utilized by each other in their respective specialties. It is, therefore, necessary to have a book to which you can refer so everyone can clearly discuss the topics in biotechnology.This text provides concise definitions of terms for persons unfamiliar with biotechnology, and clarifies new terms and how they are being used for those who are already somewhat conversant in the area. The Glossary of Biotechnology Terms is a handy reference for people with little or no training in the biological and chemical sciences because it has been written in non-technical language and serves to bring you up to date on biotechnology terminology to provide for more effective communication. The definitions are written utilizing words that enable you to conceptualize the idea embodied in the term and explanations are based on analogy whenever possible. Written to assist those individuals who seek to gain an understanding of the terminology as it is currently used, the Glossary of Biotechnology Terms, Third Edition is compulsory for anyone involved in the biotechnology field or anyone who deals with professionals in biotechnology.
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GLOSSARY OF BIOTECHNOLOGY TER MS THIRd edition K imball Nill CRC PR E S S Boca Raton London New York Washington, D.C. © 2002 by CRC Press LLC Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Nill, Kimball R. Glossary of biotechnology terms / Kimball R. Nill.-- 3rd ed. p. cm. ISBN 1-58716-122-2 1. Biotechnology--Dictionaries. I. Title. TP248.16 .F54 2002 660.6′03--dc21 2002017441 This book contains information obtained from authentic and highly regarded sources. Reprinted material is quoted with permission, and sources are indicated. A wide variety of references are listed. Reasonable efforts have been made to publish reliable data and information, but the author and the publisher cannot assume responsibility for the validity of all materials or for the consequences of their use. Neither this book nor any part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. The consent of CRC Press LLC does not extend to copying for general distribution, for promotion, for creating new works, or for resale. Specific permission must be obtained in writing from CRC Press LLC for such copying. Direct all inquiries to CRC Press LLC, 2000 N.W. Corporate Blvd., Boca Raton, Florida 33431. Trademark Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation, without intent to infringe. Visit the CRC Press Web site at www.crcpress.com © 2002 by CRC Press LLC No claim to original U.S. Government works International Standard Book Number 1-58716-122-2 Library of Congress Card Number 2002017441 Printed in the United States of America 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 Printed on acid-free paper © 2002 by CRC Press LLC To my wife, Janet J. Nill. © 2002 by CRC Press LLC Preface I began writing this book as a hobby, more than a decade ago, when it became obvious to me that the various specialists working in the then-emerging field of biotechnology (e.g., geneticists, chemists, molecular biologists, intellectual property attorneys, marketers, etc.) were occasionally having difficulty simply understa