Crop Genebank Knowledge Base

Germplasm Acquisition Agreement

The basic physical and functional unit of heredity

The exchange of genetic material between populations. This may be used in the sense of plant reproduction (i.e. due to the dispersal of gametes and zygotes) or due to human influences

A centre for conserving genetic resources under suitable conditions to prolong their lives.

The degree of relatedness between subgroups or populations as measured by various statistics.

The variety of genetic traits that result in differing characteristics.

Changes in the genetic composition of a population when the number of individuals is reduced below the frequency of certain alleles within it.

Loss of genetic diversity between and within populations of the same species over time

An allele

(GMO) An organism whose genetic material has been deliberately altered (see also transgenic plant).