Annex

Algae: A large group of simple plant-like organisms that contain chlorophyll but lack true stems, roots, leaves, and vascular tissue. Algae range in size from single celled algae to giant kelp.

Bacteria: A type of microorganism that is present in most habitats on the planet (including within plants and animals). Bacteria come in a range of shapes including spheres, rods and spirals and most are made up of a single cell without a nucleus. Bacterial plant pathogens cause diseases such as leaf spot, fire blight and wilts.

Biological control agent (BCA): are invertebrates or microorganisms used to control weeds, plant pathogens or invertebrate plant pests. They can be applied in a greenhouse to control pests or released into the environment (where approved).

cDNA (complementary DNA): a type of DNA that is artificially made from messenger RNA (mRNA) and use in genetic research.

Cell culture: process where cells are grown under controlled laboratory conditions, generally outside of their natural environment i.e. inside a flask.

Cell Lysis: destruction of cells by disruption of cellular membranes.

Cell: the basic biological unit of all living organisms. Cells are bound by a membrane and contain molecules such as DNA, RNA and protein.

Destructive analysis: research where material will be intentionally destroyed to analyse a specific property e.g. protein or chemical analysis.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): contains genetic information for the development and function of all living organisms and many viruses. DNA stores biological information, is capable of making copies of itself and is usually in the form of a double stranded helical molecule.

Fungi: The plural for fungus, fungi are microorganisms that can be a single cell or a collection of cells which form a fruiting body. Fungi reproduce via the production of spores which may be spread long distances by air, water, or on equipment or clothing or they may be soil borne. Fungi include yeasts, moulds and mushrooms.

In vitro use: laboratory/glasshouse research where material is analysed (and may be grown) but is not exposed to live plants or animals.

In vivo use: laboratory/glasshouse research where material is exposed to plants, animals or microorganisms.

Microorganism: an organism only visible under a microscope, including bacteria, fungi, algae, phytoplasmas, oomycetes and viruses.

Non-viable: plant material that is not capable of being propagated or grown. 

Nucleic acids: long chemical molecules that contain genetic information and are found in all living things (including plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi), viruses and viroids. The two main types of nucleic acids are DNA and RNA.

Nucleus: a large membrane bound compartment within a cell that contains most of the genetic information (stored as DNA). The nucleus controls growth and characteristics of the cell. 

Oomycetes: a group of fungus-like microorganisms that are sometimes called ‘water moulds’ that reproduce by the production of spores. They can cause serious diseases in plants such as sudden oak death (SOD).

PCR (polymerase chain reaction): an in vitro laboratory technique for making many copies of a DNA molecule.

Phytoplasmas: specialised bacteria that are parasites of plant tissue which are transmitted from plant to plant via insects. They cause a variety of symptoms in plants ranging from mild yellowing through to plant death.

Plant pathogens: infectious microorganisms that cause disease in plants. These include bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, phytoplasmas, viroids and viruses.

Plant pests: plants or animals that cause disease, spoilage, or damage to plants. They include parasitic plants, certain species of insects and certain parasitic nematodes (roundworms with a non-segmented elongated body).

Plasmid: a small DNA molecule that can copy itself independently of the rest of the DNA within a cell and most often found in bacteria. In nature plasmids can transfer genes between individual bacterium (even ones of different species), and are used for laboratory research.

Protoplasts: plant, bacterial or fungal cells that have had their cell wall completely or partially removed.

RNA: (ribonucleic acid) contains genetic information and is found in living organisms, many viruses and viroids. RNA can function as a messenger molecule (mRNA), carrying instructions from DNA for protein synthesis and is usually single stranded in structure.

Vector: the name given to plasmids when they are deliberately used in a laboratory for genetic engineering/gene transfer.

Viroid: plant pathogens that are consist of single stranded RNA. Viroids are the smallest known infectious agent. They cause similar symptoms to viruses although they are much smaller in size.

Virus: an infectious agent that can only replicate inside the living cells of an organism. They consist of single or double stranded DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat.