Cardiovascular, Cancer, Immunity, Aging & Environmental Health

Vocabulary flashcards cover major terms from cardiovascular health, cancer biology, immunity & infection, aging, and environmental health as presented in the lecture notes.

Pulmonary Circulation

The route by which the right side of the heart pumps de-oxygenated blood to the lungs for gas exchange.

Systemic Circulation

The pathway that delivers oxygen-rich blood from the left side of the heart to the rest of the body.

Atrium

An upper heart chamber that receives blood returning to the heart.

Ventricle

A lower heart chamber that pumps blood out of the heart.

Aorta

The body’s largest artery; carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to systemic circulation.

Systole

Phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood.

Diastole

Phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle relaxes and fills with blood.

Sinus Node

Cluster of specialized cells in the right atrium that initiates the heart’s electrical impulse (natural pacemaker).

Artery

Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart under high pressure.

Vein

Blood vessel that returns blood toward the heart.

Capillaries

Microscopic blood vessels that allow exchange of gases, nutrients, and wastes between blood and tissues.

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

“Bad” cholesterol carrier that transports cholesterol to tissues; excess promotes plaque formation.

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)

“Good” cholesterol carrier that returns unused cholesterol to the liver for recycling, reducing atherosclerosis risk.

Endothelial Cells

Cells lining the interior of arteries; regulate blood flow and inhibit sticky platelet buildup.

Hypertension

Chronic high blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher.

Atherosclerosis

Condition in which fatty deposits narrow and stiffen arterial walls.

Coronary Heart Disease

Atherosclerotic blockage of coronary arteries supplying the heart muscle.

Myocardial Infarction

Heart attack caused by a coronary artery clot (coronary thrombosis) that kills heart tissue.

Angina Pectoris

Chest pain due to temporary shortage of oxygen to the heart muscle.

Arrhythmia

Abnormal rhythm or pattern of the heartbeat.

Stroke

Loss of brain function due to interrupted blood supply.

Ischemic Stroke

Stroke caused by blockage such as a thrombus or embolus in a cerebral artery.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Stroke caused by rupture of a blood vessel in or on the brain.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Brief, reversible stroke-like episode signaling high future stroke risk.

Aneurysm

Balloon-like bulge in a weakened artery wall that may rupture.

Angioplasty

Catheter-based procedure that widens narrowed arteries, often by inflating a small balloon.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Atherosclerosis in leg or arm arteries causing pain and fatigue.

Pulmonary Edema

Accumulation of fluid in the lungs, impairing gas exchange.

Rheumatic Fever

Inflammatory disease following strep infection; may damage heart valves.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Polyunsaturated fats that lower triglycerides and slow tumor and plaque growth.

Dietary Fibre

Indigestible plant material that lowers LDL, improves bowel health, and may reduce cancer risk.

Calcium (dietary)

Mineral that helps control blood pressure and supports bone health.

Soy Protein

Plant protein that can reduce LDL cholesterol when substituted for animal protein.

Waist-to-Hip Ratio

Indicator of abdominal obesity; ≤ 0.85 for women and ≤ 0.90 for men is optimal.

Catecholamines

Stress hormones (e.g., epinephrine) active in fight-or-flight responses.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Recording of the heart’s electrical activity used to detect arrhythmias or ischemia.

Echocardiography

Ultrasound imaging that visualizes heart structure and function.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Imaging method using magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed body images.

Electron Beam CT (EBCT)

Fast CT scan that detects coronary artery calcium deposits.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

Series of X-ray images providing cross-sectional views of internal structures.

Cancer

Abnormal, uncontrolled proliferation of cells that can invade and spread.

Malignant Tumor

Cancerous growth capable of invading tissues and metastasizing.

Benign Tumor

Non-cancerous growth that does not invade or spread.

Metastasis

Spread of cancer cells from the primary site to distant organs.

Carcinoma

Cancer arising from epithelial tissues such as skin or organ linings.

Sarcoma

Cancer originating in connective or fibrous tissues like bone or muscle.

Lymphoma

Cancer of lymph nodes or lymphatic tissue.

Leukemia

Cancer of blood-forming tissues resulting in abnormal white blood cells.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Most common skin cancer, arising from deepest skin layers; rarely metastasizes.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Skin cancer of surface layers; can metastasize if untreated.

Malignant Melanoma

Aggressive skin cancer originating in pigment cells; spreads rapidly.

Hyperplasia

Excessive cell growth that still appears normal microscopically.

Dysplasia

Abnormal cell appearance indicating early precancerous change.

In Situ Cancer

Localized cancer confined to the place where it originated.

Oncogene

Gene whose mutations can transform a normal cell into a cancer cell.

Tumor Suppressor Gene

Gene that normally restrains cell growth; loss of function promotes cancer.

Carcinogen

Substance or agent capable of causing cancer.

Mutagen

Agent that causes genetic mutations, potentially leading to cancer.

Cancer Initiator

Carcinogen that directly damages DNA to start the cancer process.

Cancer Promoter

Substance that accelerates cell growth without mutating DNA, aiding tumor development.

Anticarcinogen

Compound that blocks or counters the action of carcinogens.

Antioxidant

Molecule that neutralizes free radicals, preventing oxidative DNA damage.

Acrylamide

Probable carcinogen formed in high-temperature cooking of starchy foods.

Phytochemicals

Protective plant chemicals that may reduce risk of chronic diseases including cancer.

Sulforaphane

Phytochemical in cruciferous vegetables that boosts detoxifying enzymes.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death featuring nuclear shrinkage and fragmentation.

Biopsy

Removal of tissue sample for microscopic cancer diagnosis.

Chemotherapy

Use of cytotoxic drugs to destroy or inhibit cancer cells.

Radiation Therapy

Treatment using high-energy radiation to kill or damage cancer cells.

Ultrasonography

Imaging technique that uses sound waves to visualize internal structures.

Free Radicals

Electron-seeking molecules that damage DNA, proteins, and cell membranes.

Nitrosamines

Carcinogens formed in the stomach from nitrates and nitrites.

Protease Inhibitor

Drug that blocks protein-splitting enzymes; some are used in cancer therapy.

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test

Blood test measuring PSA levels to screen for prostate cancer.

Pathogen

Disease-causing microorganism such as bacteria, virus, fungus, or parasite.

Reservoir (Infection)

Place (person, animal, environment) where a pathogen lives and multiplies.

Portal of Exit

Route by which a pathogen leaves its host (e.g., saliva, blood).

Means of Transmission

Method a pathogen uses to reach a new host (e.g., airborne, contact, vector).

Portal of Entry

Site where a pathogen enters a new host (e.g., respiratory tract, skin break).

Macrophage

Large phagocytic white blood cell that engulfs pathogens and activates other immune cells.

Neutrophil

Abundant white blood cell that attacks and digests invading microbes.

Dendritic Cell

Antigen-presenting cell that activates T and B lymphocytes.

Helper T Cell

Lymphocyte that coordinates immune responses by stimulating other immune cells.

Killer T Cell

T lymphocyte that destroys infected or cancerous body cells.

B Cell

Lymphocyte that matures in bone marrow and produces antibodies.

Antibody

Y-shaped protein that specifically binds and neutralizes antigens.

Antigen

Foreign substance that triggers an immune response.

Cytokine

Chemical messenger coordinating the actions of immune cells.

Pneumonia

Lung inflammation caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Tuberculosis

Chronic bacterial lung infection spread through airborne droplets.

Lyme Disease

Tick-borne infection causing rash and joint, heart, or nerve problems.

Strep Throat

Throat infection by Streptococcus bacteria; can lead to rheumatic fever if untreated.

Measles

Highly contagious viral disease with rash and fever; can lead to severe complications.

Mumps

Viral infection causing swollen salivary glands; may inflame testes or meninges.

Herpes Simplex Virus

Virus causing recurring oral or genital sores; persists lifelong in nerve cells.

Varicella-Zoster Virus

Virus that causes chickenpox in childhood and shingles upon reactivation.

Infectious Mononucleosis

Illness by Epstein-Barr virus with fever, sore throat, and swollen nodes.

Cytomegalovirus

Common herpesvirus that can infect lungs, brain, eyes; dangerous in immunocompromised people.

Encephalitis

Inflammation of brain tissue, often viral; symptoms include fever and confusion.

Hepatitis A

Usually mild liver infection transmitted via fecal-oral route.