tobacco plant
- noun
- /təˈbækoʊ plænt/
- Specialized
:
planta de tabaco
- The researcher explained how the tobacco plant can be genetically modified to produce insulin for diabetes patients.
Examples
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Scientists are exploring the potential of the tobacco plant as a platform for producing therapeutic proteins more efficiently.
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In the laboratory, the team used the tobacco plant to manufacture vaccines that could combat emerging infectious diseases.
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Moreover, despite the clear dangers of smoking, the tobacco plant has known medicinal values.
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Synonyms
A tall South American plant grown for its large leaves used to make cigarettes and cigars
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a straightforward compositional combination: 'tobacco' (the crop) + 'plant' (a living organism) yields a plant that is tobacco, so a learner who knows both words can infer the meaning. Although the example mentions a specialized biotechnology use, that pragmatic extension does not change the transparent, literal composition of the noun phrase.
Etymology
Tobacco plant can also be used by scientists like a small factory because its leaves can be changed to make vaccine parts or other 'medicines'. So in this sense 'tobacco plant' means a plant used to produce medical products quickly.
