soybean plant (Glycine max (L.) Merrill).

See also ENZYME, CATALYZE, FATTY ACID, SOY-

BEAN PLANT, DESATURASE, FATS, OLEOSOMES,

PATHWAY, DELTA 12 DESATURASE.

Federal Coordinated Framework for Regulation of Biotechnology The legal framework created by the U.S. government in 1986, which divided regulation of biotechnology among the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

See also FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.

Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) A law enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1972. During 1994, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed that the substances produced by plants (e.g., genetically engineered crops) for their defense against pests and diseases would be regulated by EPA under

FIFRA. See also TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT (TSCA), GENETICALLY ENGINEERED MICRO-

BIAL PESTICIDES (GEMP), WHEAT TAKE-ALL DIS-

EASE, BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS (B.t.).

Feedback Inhibition Inhibition of the first enzyme in a metabolic pathway by the end product of that pathway. This is a method of shutting down a metabolic pathway that is producing a product that is no longer needed.

See also METABOLISM, ENZYME, EFFECTOR.

Feedstock Raw material(s) used for the production of chemicals; or growth substrates of microbes (e.g., yeasts or bacteria that require a solid phase on which to attach themselves).

Fermentation A term first used with regard to the foaming that occurs during the manufacture of wine and beer. The process dates back to at least 6,000 B.C. when the Egyptians made wine and beer by fermentation. From the Latin word fermentare, to cause to rise. The term “fermentation” is now used to refer to so many different processes that fermentation is no longer accepted for use in most scientific publications. Three typical definitions are given below:

1.A process in which chemical changes are brought about in an organic substrate through the actions of enzymes elaborated (produced) by microrganisms.

The energy obtained from these reactions is used to carry on processes in which the basic substances needed by the bacterium are manufactured. These bacteria are commonly found in seepage waters of coal and iron mining areas where iron compounds abound. Ferrobacteria are not disease producers (i.e., pathogenic), but they are important as scavengers. Sometimes they create a nuisance by multiplying so profusely in iron water pipes

Fria have been active through long periods of geologic time. For example, the great Mesabi iron (ore) seam of America’s Lake Supe-

rior region is thought to be a product of ferrobacteria activity. See also PATHOGEN.that they stop the flow of water. Ferrobacte-

Ferrochelatase A mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes the incorporation of iron into the protoporphyria molecule. See also MITO-

CHONDRIA, ENZYME, CATALYST, PORPHYRINS.

Ferrodoxin An ironand sulfur-containing protein important in the electron-transfer processes of photosynthesis in plants. It also plays a role in the metabolism of some bacteria and was first found in an anaerobic bacterium.

See also PHOTOSYNTHESIS, METABOLISM.

Fertility Factor (F) A type of transmissible (i.e., can enter other cells) plasmid that is often found in Escherichia coli (E. coli). See

also PLASMID, VECTOR, ESCHERICHIA COLIFORM

(E. COLI).

Fertilization The union of the (haploid) male and (haploid) female germ cells (sex cells or gametes) to produce a diploid zygote. Fertilization marks the start of development of a new individual (organism), the beginning of cell differentiation. See also GERM CELL.

FFA Acronym for Free Fatty Acids. See also

FREE FATTY ACIDS.

FGF See FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR (FGF).

FGMP See FOOD GOOD MANUFACTURING PRAC-

TICE (FGMP).

FIA Refers to immunodiagnostic tests that are based on fluorescence tracers (labels). See

also IMMUNOASSAY, FLUORESCENCE, RADIO-

IMMUNOASSAY.

Fibrin The ordered fibrous array of fibrin monomers, called a fibrin-platelet clot (blood clot), which spontaneously assembles from fibrin monomers (which themselves are formed by the thrombin-catalyzed conversion

of fibrinogen into fibrin). Fibrinogen itself is the product of a controlled series of zymogen activation steps (enzymatic cascade) triggered initially by substances released from body tissues as a consequence of trauma (harm).

See also FIBRONECTIN, ZYMOGENS, CASCADE,

LIPOPROTEIN-ASSOCIATED COAGULATION (CLOT)

INHIBITOR (LACI).

Fibrinogen See FIBRIN, LIPOPROTEIN-ASSOCIATED

COAGULATION (CLOT) INHIBITOR (LACI).

Fibrinolytic Agents Bloodborne compounds that activate fibrin in order to dissolve blood

clots. See also TISSUE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR

(tPA), THROMBOLYTIC AGENTS, FIBRIN.

Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) F i r s t described in the mid-1970s by Dr. Gospodarowicz and fellow researchers at the University of California, San Francisco. It is a protein that stimulates the formation/development of blood vessels and fibroblasts (precursors to collagen, the connective tissue “glue” that holds cells together). FGF also is mitogenic (causes cells to divide and multiply) for both fibroblasts and endothelial cells, and attracts those two cell types (i.e., is chemotactic). Dr. Gospodarowicz named the FGF originally derived from bovine (cow) brain tissue to be Acidic FGF. Dr. Gospodarowicz named the FGF originally derived from bovine pituitary tissue to be Basic FGF. This was due to their identical biological activity, but differing isoelectric points (the former being acidic, and the latter being basic). Basic FGF is, however, ten times more “potent” than acidic FGF in most

bioassays. See also ANGIOGENIC GROWTH FACTORS, PROTEIN, FIBROBLASTS, PITUITARY GLAND,

COLLAGEN, MITOGEN, ENDOTHELIAL CELLS,

CHEMOTAXIS, BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY, BIOASSAY,

ACID, BASE.

Fibroblasts Cells that are precursors to the connective tissue cells found in the skin. They make structural proteins like collagen, which gives skin its strength. Because fibroblasts do not express antigens on their cell surfaces (free standing, separated), fibroblasts possess potential for use in making artificial organs (e.g., artificial pancreas for diabetics), since recipent immune systems cannot recognize the fibroblast cells as for-

eign. See also CELLULAR IMMUNE RESPONSE,

HUMORAL IMMUNITY, GRAFT-VERSUS-HOST

DISEASE (GVHD), XENOGENEIC ORGANS, CELL,

FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR (FGF), COLLAGEN.

Fibronectin An adhesive glycoprotein that forms a link between the epithelial cells and the connective tissue matrix (essential for blood clotting). Research has indicated that fibronectin may solve the problem of getting new cells to stick to existing tissue, once a growth factor has caused them to grow (e.g., when growth factor is administered after a serious wound to tissue). See also FIBRIN, GLY-

COPROTEIN, GROWTH FACTOR, ORGANOGENESIS.

Field Inversion Gel Electrophoresis (FIGE)

A chromatographic procedure for the separation of a mixture of molecules by means of a two-dimensional electrical field, applied across a gel matrix containing those molecules. For example, FIGE is commonly used to separate mixtures of large DNA molecules by their size and (electrical) charge. FIGE can be used to separate (resolve) DNA molecules up to 2000 Kbp in length. See also

TWO-DIMENSIONAL (2D) GEL ELECTROPHORESIS,

CHROMATOGRAPHY, ELECTROPHORESIS, KILOBASE

PAIRS (Kbp), POLYACRYLAMIDE GEL ELECTRO-

PHORESIS (PAGE), DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID (DNA).

FIFRA See FEDERAL INSECTICIDE FUNGICIDE AND

RODENTICIDE ACT (FIFRA).

Filler Epithelial Cells Skin cells that initially form under a scab in the wound healing process, in response to stimulation by epidermal growth factor (EGF). See also EPIDERMAL

GROWTH FACTOR (EGF).

Finger Proteins See ZINC FINGER PROTEINS.

Fingerprinting See PEPTIDE MAPPING (“FINGER-

PRINTING”), COMBINATORIAL CHEMISTRY.

First Filial Hybrids See F1 HYBRIDS.

Flagella A protein-based, flexible, whip-like organ of locomotion found on some microorganisms. With these, microorganisms are able to swim. Flagella are usually very long and there are usually only one or two per cell. The tails of sperm cells are examples of flagella. Flagella are used in the swimming motion of bacteria toward sources of nutrients in a process called chemotaxis. Singular: flagellum. See also CILIA, CHEMO-

TAXIS, BACTERIA, PROTEIN.

Flanking Sequence A segment of DNA molecule that either precedes or follows the

region of interest on the molecule. See also

DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID (DNA).

reduced oxidation of lipids in the bloodstream by 30%. Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) contain a number of antioxidant flavonoids, and research indicates that consumption of large amounts on a regular basis may inhibit development of breast cancer. Blueberries (genus vaccinium) contain a number of flavonoids, and research indicates that consumption of large amounts on a regular basis helps to strengthen eyesight,

Faspects of the aging process. Other subcategories of flavonoids are flavones, flavonols, flavanols, aurones, chalcones, etc. One exam-

ple of a not-very-beneficial flavonoid is quercetin, a nonnutritive antioxidant produced inimprove memory, and inhibit some physical

almonds. See also PHYTOCHEMICALS, ISOFLAVONES, SOYBEAN PLANT, ATHEROSCLEROSIS, OXI-

DATION, ANTIOXIDANTS, OXIDATIVE STRESS,

CANCER, LIPIDS, ANTHOCYANIDINS, PROANTHO-

CYANIDINS, FLAVONOLS.

Flavonols A group of phytochemicals, consisting of a subcategory of the flavonoid “family” of phytochemicals. Flavonols are typically beneficial to the health of humans that consume them, and are found in citrus fruits such as grapefruit, oranges, etc. However, at least one flavonol (quercitin glycoside) is found in tomato peels. See also

PHYTOCHEMICALS, FLAVONOIDS.

Flavoprotein An enzyme containing a flavin nucleotide as a prosthetic group. See also

PROSTHETIC GROUP.

FLK-2 Receptors See TOTIPOTENT STEM CELLS.

Flora The microorganisms found in a given situation, e.g., reservoir flora (the microorganisms present in a given municipal water reservoir) or intestinal flora (the microorganisms found in the intestines).

Floury-2 A gene in corn/maize (Zea mays L.) that (when present in the DNA of a given plant) causes that plant to produce seed that contains higher-than-traditional levels of the amino acids methionine and tryptophan. See

also GENE, CORN, METHIONINE (met), HIGH-

METHIONINE CORN, ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS,

VALUE-ENHANCED GRAINS, DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC

ACID (DNA).

Flow Cytometry See CELL SORTING, FLUORES-

CENCE ACTIVATED CELL SORTER (FACS), MAGNETIC

PARTICLES.

Fluorescence The reaction of certain mole- c u l e s u p o n a b s o r p t i o n o f s p e c i fi c amount/wavelength of light; in which those molecules emit (reradiate) light energy possessing a longer wavelength than the original light absorbed. All cells will naturally fluoresce, at least a bit. Human colon cancer cells, and precursor cells, fluoresce much more (and emit much more red light when they fluoresce) than noncancerous cells; which may lead to a new and better means of early detection. See also CELL, CANCER, FIA,

BRIGHT GREENISH-YELLOW FLUORESCENCE (BGYF),

BIOCHIP, NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY (NIR).

Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH)

A method for detecting the presence of a particular gene (e.g., in a biological sample), which utilizes a fluorescein-“tagged” DNA probe. When the DNA probe hybridizes to that particular gene, the “tag” fluoresces (thereby indicating positively the presence in sample of that particular gene). See also

GENE, FLUORESCENCE, PROBE, DNA PROBE.

Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS)

A machine used to sort cells from a mixed group of cells (e.g., to remove only the cells into which a new gene has been inserted via genetic engineering techniques). The desired cells are first labeled with a specific fluorescent dye, then passed through a flow chamber that is illuminated by a laser beam, which causes the labeled cells to fluoresce (glow). The molecules of the fluorescent dye, which “stick” to only one type of cell in the mixture, contain chromophores that can be elevated to an excited, unstable state via irradiation with specific wavelength(s) of light. Those chromophores remain in that excited state for a maximum of 10–9 seconds before releasing their energy by emitting light, and returning to their unexcited “ground” state. This fluorescence (glow) is a measurable property and the FACS machine utilizes it to separate the desired cells from the rest of the mixture. See also

BASOPHILIC, GENETIC ENGINEERING, CELL, FLUO-

RESCENCE, CELL SORTING.

Fluorogenic Probe See MOLECULAR BEACON. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) A pro-

tein hormone used in conventional medical therapy in an attempt to increase production