Biopsy - examination of tissues or liquids from the living body to determine the existence or cause of a disease
Carrier - an individual that carries one gene for a particular recessive trait. A carrier does not express the trait but, can pass it on to their children and their children can carry or express it.
Chromosome - a threadlike body in the cell nucleus that carries the genes in a linear order
Clinical Trials - medical research studies conducted with volunteers. Each study is designed to answer scientific questions and to find better ways to prevent, detect, or treat cancer.
Embryonic Stem Cells - cells that are unspecialized and can divide an assume the roll of any cell in the body. These can replace cells that have lost their function or died.
Erucic Acid - A fatty acid, C22H42O2, making up 40 to 50 percent of the total fatty acid in rapeseed, wallflower seed, and mustard seed.
Gene - a hereditary unit consisting of a sequence of DNA that occupies a specific location on a chromosome and determines a particular characteristic in an organism. Genes undergo mutation when their DNA sequence changes.
Genotype - the genetic makeup, as distinguished from the physical appearance, of an organism or a group of organisms
Hemorrhage - excessive discharge of blood from the blood vessels; profuse bleeding
Leukodystrophy - a type of demyelinating disease
Mental Retardation - subnormal intellectual development as a result of congenital causes, brain injury, or disease and characterized by any of various cognitive deficiencies, including impaired learning, social, and vocational ability
Myelin - a white fatty substance that forms a medullary sheath around the axis cylinder of some nerve fibers
Oleic Acid - a colorless oily liquid occurring as a glyceride in almost all natural fats; used in making soap and cosmetics and ointments and lubricating oils
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) - a technique for amplifying DNA sequences in vitro by separating the DNA into two strands and incubating it with oligonucleotide primers and DNA polymerase. It can amplify a specific sequence of DNA by as many as one billion times and is important in biotechnology, forensics, medicine, and genetic research.
Peroxisome - a cell organelle containing enzymes, such as catalase and oxidase, that catalyze the production and breakdown of hydrogen peroxide
Phenotype - the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, as determined by both genetic makeup and environmental influences
Plasma - the clear, yellowish fluid portion of blood, lymph, or intramuscular fluid in which cells are suspended. It differs from serum in that it contains fibrin and other soluble clotting elements
Prenatal Screening - screening of a child in the womb before birth to test for various genetic diseases. This is usually done when there is a history of diseases in the family
Spontaneous Mutation - a mutation that occurs without being affected by some sort of mutagen. These happen sometimes during the DNA replication process
Wavelength - the distance between one peak or crest of a wave of light, heat, or other energy and the next corresponding peak or crest
X-Inactivation - the inactivation of part or all of an x chromosome