BIOTECHNOLOGY AND NUTRITION GLOSSARY by Beatriz Bermeo

Technology

2025-06-04 14:43:15 UTC

Use of tools and knowledge to solve problems.

Example: "Farmers use technology like drones and sensors to monitor their crops more efficiently."

Teosinte

2025-06-04 14:44:16 UTC

Ancestral plant of maize.

Example: "Scientists study teosinte to understand how modern corn evolved."

Food Security

jhonatan4851k — 2025-06-04 14:45:27 UTC

Access to enough safe and nutritious food for all people at all times. Biotechnology helps improve crop yields and reduce hunger.

Example: Drought-resistant crops that ensure food supply during dry seasons.

Traditional breeding

2025-06-04 14:45:57 UTC

Natural crossbreeding of plants or animals to improve them.

Example: "Traditional breeding has been used for centuries to create stronger and more productive crop varieties."

Genetic Engineering

jhonatan4851k — 2025-06-04 14:46:15 UTC

The process of altering the DNA of an organism to give it new traits, such as disease resistance or faster growth.

Example: Inserting a gene into tomatoes to make them stay fresh longer.

Vertical farms

2025-06-04 14:46:57 UTC

Layered or tower-based crops grown inside buildings.

Example: "In cities, vertical farms allow fresh vegetables to be grown year-round with minimal land

GMOs

jhonatan4851k — 2025-06-04 14:48:31 UTC

Living organisms, like plants or bacteria, whose genetic material has been changed using genetic engineering.

Example: GM cotton that produces its own insecticide to protect against pests.

BETA-CAROTENE

emilycasillas2009 — 2025-06-04 14:49:13 UTC

Part of speech: noun
Definition: A natural orange-red pigment found in many fruits and vegetables. It is a type of carotenoid and is converted by the body into vitamin A, which is essential for vision, immune function, and skin health.
Example sentence: Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A.

CROPS

2025-06-04 14:49:19 UTC

•Definition: Plants grown by people to eat or sell, like corn, rice, or potatoes.

•Part of Speech: Noun (plural)

•Example: Farmers grow different crops every season, such as rice and tomatoes.

Golden Rice

jhonatan4851k — 2025-06-04 14:50:06 UTC

A genetically modified rice enriched with beta-carotene to help prevent vitamin A deficiency in low-income countries.

Example: Used in Southeast Asia to reduce childhood blindness.

BIOFORTIFIED FOODS

emilycasillas2009 — 2025-06-04 14:51:22 UTC

Part of speech: noun (plural)
Definition: Foods that have been nutritionally enhanced through biological methods, such as plant breeding or genetic modification, to increase their content of vitamins and minerals.
Example sentence: Biofortified foods can help reduce micronutrient deficiencies in developing countries.

BT CORN

emilycasillas2009 — 2025-06-04 14:53:37 UTC

Part of speech: noun
Definition: A genetically modified type of corn that contains a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which allows the plant to produce a protein toxic to specific insect pests.
Example sentence: Bt corn helps farmers reduce the need for chemical insecticides.

Organism

2025-06-04 14:53:40 UTC

A living thing, like a person, animal, plant, or tiny germ.

Example: A dog is an organism because it eats, breathes, and grows.

VITAMIN A

emilycasillas2009 — 2025-06-04 14:56:30 UTC

Part of speech: noun
Definition: An essential fat-soluble vitamin that supports vision, immune function, reproduction, and the health of skin and mucous membranes. It can be found in foods like liver, dairy products, and as beta-carotene in fruits and vegetables.
Example sentence: Vitamin A is important for maintaining healthy vision and preventing night blindness.

Pesticides

2025-06-04 14:58:34 UTC

Meaning: Chemicals used to kill insects or pests that harm plants.

Example: Farmers use pesticides to protect their crops from bugs.

CRISPR

2025-06-04 15:00:12 UTC

•Definition: A powerful gene-editing tool that allows scientists to cut, remove, or change parts of DNA in living things. It is used to treat diseases, improve crops, and study genetics.

• Part of Speech: Noun

• Example: CRISPR can be used to fix genes that cause inherited diseases.

Probiotics

2025-06-04 15:00:22 UTC

Meaning: Good bacteria that help keep your stomach healthy.

Example: Yogurt has probiotics that help with digestion.

Safe nutrition

2025-06-04 15:02:04 UTC

Meaning: Eating food that is healthy and clean for your body.

Example: Eating fruits and vegetables is part of safe nutrition.

Salty soils

2025-06-04 15:07:29 UTC

Meaning: Soil that has too much salt, which can make it hard for plants to grow.

Example: Farmers have trouble growing crops in salty soils.

Droughts

2025-06-04 15:16:25 UTC

Meaning: Long periods of time with little or no rain, which can cause water shortages and damage to crops and ecosystems.

Fermentation

2025-06-04 15:19:57 UTC

Meaning: A natural process in which microorganisms like bacteria or yeast convert sugars into other substances, such as alcohol, gases, or acids. It’s used in making bread, yogurt, and cheese.