Barbara McClintock
Barbara McClintock (1902–1992) was an American geneticist who discovered genetic transposition—the ability of genes to move within chromosomes.
Her work on maize chromosomes in the 1940s and 1950s was largely ignored for decades, considered too radical by the scientific establishment.
She was vindicated when molecular biology caught up, receiving the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1983.
McClintock became a symbol of scientific persistence and the eventual recognition of paradigm-shifting work.
Gene-bearing nuclear structures
- karyotypeOrganized chromosome display
- mitosisNuclear division producing identical cells
- meiosisGamete-producing cell division
- nucleusCentral controlling part
translocation · inversion · duplication · deletion · breakage · fusion · crossing over · linkage
Cereal grown on cobs
- kernelSeed or essential core
- chromosomeDNA strand carrying genes
- cobMaize ear's central cylinder
- earAuditory organ
husk · stalk · tassel · pericarp · endosperm · germplasm · cultivar · pollination
Agent that initiates
- dissociationMental separation from surroundings
- insertionPlacing something within
- excisionCutting out of tissue
- gene regulationManaging when DNA activates
mutation · genome · heredity · epigenetics · gene expression
First to forge ahead
- groundbreakerInnovator, first to act
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- maverickIndependent-minded rule-breaker
- nonconformistRejects prevailing social standards
pathfinder · forerunner · revolutionary · vindication · persistence · overlooked · underappreciated · rediscovery
Celebrated achievement recipient
- prizeReward for winning
- StockholmSweden's seat of government
- medalMetal honor token
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
1983 · Physiology · recognition · achievement · unshared · academy · banquet · diploma
chromosomes
Gene-bearing nuclear structures
- karyotypeOrganized chromosome display
- mitosisNuclear division producing identical cells
- meiosisGamete-producing cell division
nucleus · translocation · inversion · duplication · deletion · breakage · fusion · crossing over · linkage · genetic markers
corn
Cereal grown on cobs
- kernelSeed or essential core
- chromosomeDNA strand carrying genes
- cobMaize ear's central cylinder
ear · husk · stalk · tassel · pericarp · endosperm · germplasm · cultivar · pollination · pigmentation
activator
Agent that initiates
- dissociationMental separation from surroundings
- insertionPlacing something within
- excisionCutting out of tissue
gene regulation · mutation · genome · heredity · epigenetics · gene expression
trailblazer
First to forge ahead
- groundbreakerInnovator, first to act
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- maverickIndependent-minded rule-breaker
nonconformist · pathfinder · forerunner · revolutionary · vindication · persistence · overlooked · underappreciated · rediscovery · intuition
laureate
Celebrated achievement recipient
ceremony · 1983 · Physiology · recognition · achievement · unshared · academy · banquet · diploma · gold
- biologistsbiologist, geneticist, molecular biologist, microbiologist, biochemist
- American ScientistsBenjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Richard Feynman, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Carl Sagan
- barbara
- BotanistsCarl Linnaeus, plant collector, plant scientist, ethnobotanist, paleobotanist