Auxospore A cell produced by diatoms that undergoes enlargement, compensating
for the reduction in size that often occurs during population growth; commonly
also the zygote of diatoms.
Avirulence gene Gene found in some bacterial plant pathogens that determines
their ability to cause disease on a host plant containing a corresponding
resistance gene. see gene-for-gene resistance.
Avirulent A strain of bacterium, virus or other potential pathogen that does not
cause disease.
Bacterivores Organisms that consume bacteria as prey
Bacterivory The process by which cells ingest and digest bacterial prey
Baeocytes (endospores) Spores of cyanobacteria formed by internal division of
vegetative cells (compare with exospores)
Base pair (bp) Single pair of complementary nucleotides from opposite strands of
the DNA double helix. The number of base pairs is used as a measure of length
of a double-stranded DNA.
Base ratio The ratio of the bases (A+T)/(C+G) in DNA, which varies widely from
species to species.
b-carotene An accessory carotenoid pigment Iacking oxygen that occurs in major
algal groups; the source of provitamin-A.
Binary fission The relatively simple process by which prokaryotic cells divide to
form two equal-sized progeny cells.
Bioassay A procedure that uses organisms and their responses to estimate the
effects of physical and chemical agents in the environment.
Biodiversity Convention Treaty concluded in June 1992 with the aim of
preserving biodiversity.The need to protect biodiversity was first raised at the
14th meeting of the Governing Council for the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) in 1987. It was later determined that existing treaties were
not adequate as a response, and the decision was made to enact a new
convention. While the U.S., Japan, and other nations did sign, issues with
detailed provisions in the convention resulting in being effectively postponed. At
a meeting of signatory nations in November 1994, a discussion was held on the
issues that had led to the postponement. Three of them had a particular impact in
terms of bioengineering. One concerned the development of a protocol for
biostability. Opinions submitted by developing and Northern European countries
requested that a protocol be developed to determine the legal regulation of
bio-related areas. While an opposition campaign was led by the U.S., Japan,
Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among others, the balance of support was
generally in favor of a protocol. In addition to the possibility of advanced
economies demanding new regulations if such a protocol is proposed, it may
Glossary
423
for the reduction in size that often occurs during population growth; commonly
also the zygote of diatoms.
Avirulence gene Gene found in some bacterial plant pathogens that determines
their ability to cause disease on a host plant containing a corresponding
resistance gene. see gene-for-gene resistance.
Avirulent A strain of bacterium, virus or other potential pathogen that does not
cause disease.
Bacterivores Organisms that consume bacteria as prey
Bacterivory The process by which cells ingest and digest bacterial prey
Baeocytes (endospores) Spores of cyanobacteria formed by internal division of
vegetative cells (compare with exospores)
Base pair (bp) Single pair of complementary nucleotides from opposite strands of
the DNA double helix. The number of base pairs is used as a measure of length
of a double-stranded DNA.
Base ratio The ratio of the bases (A+T)/(C+G) in DNA, which varies widely from
species to species.
b-carotene An accessory carotenoid pigment Iacking oxygen that occurs in major
algal groups; the source of provitamin-A.
Binary fission The relatively simple process by which prokaryotic cells divide to
form two equal-sized progeny cells.
Bioassay A procedure that uses organisms and their responses to estimate the
effects of physical and chemical agents in the environment.
Biodiversity Convention Treaty concluded in June 1992 with the aim of
preserving biodiversity.The need to protect biodiversity was first raised at the
14th meeting of the Governing Council for the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) in 1987. It was later determined that existing treaties were
not adequate as a response, and the decision was made to enact a new
convention. While the U.S., Japan, and other nations did sign, issues with
detailed provisions in the convention resulting in being effectively postponed. At
a meeting of signatory nations in November 1994, a discussion was held on the
issues that had led to the postponement. Three of them had a particular impact in
terms of bioengineering. One concerned the development of a protocol for
biostability. Opinions submitted by developing and Northern European countries
requested that a protocol be developed to determine the legal regulation of
bio-related areas. While an opposition campaign was led by the U.S., Japan,
Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among others, the balance of support was
generally in favor of a protocol. In addition to the possibility of advanced
economies demanding new regulations if such a protocol is proposed, it may
Glossary
423