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Definitions
List of terms for Genomics
R
Recessive
The physical characteristics of an organism are determined by a pair of alleles (copies of a gene). An allele is described as recessive if its characteristics are only expressed when it is paired with an identical allele, and not when it is paired with the dominant allele.
Recombinant DNA technology
The term given to some techniques of molecular biology and genetic engineering which were developed in the early 1970s. In particular, the use of restriction enzymes, which cleave DNA at specific sites, allow sections of DNA molecules to be inserted into plasmid or other vectors and cloned in an appropriate host organism (e.g. a bacterial or yeast cell). [WHO: Genomics and World Health]
Reproductive cloning
Techniques aimed at the generation of an organism with an identical genome to an existing organism. [WHO: Genomics and World Health]
Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
A single stranded nucleic acid molecule comprising a linear chain made up from four nucleotide subunits (A, C, G and U). There are three types of RNA: messenger, transfer and ribosomal. [WHO: Genomics and World Health]
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