Lesson 3.1 Detecting Cancer Key Terms- Medical Interventions

PLTW Medical Interventions Lesson 3.1- key terms.

Apoptosis

the changes that occur within a cell as it undergoes programmed cell death, brought about by signals that trigger the activation of a cascade of suicide proteins in the cell destined to die.

Biopsy

the removal of living tissue, cells, or fluids for examination.

Bone Scan

Test that detects areas of increased or decreased bone metabolism, performed to identify abnormal processes involving the bone such as tumors, infections, or fractures.

Cancer

A malignant (Cancerous) tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally and systematically.

Cell Cycle

an ordered sequence of events of events in the life cycle of a eukaryotic cell, from its origin in the division of a parent cell until its own division into 2.

Computed Tomography Scan (CT/CAT Scan)

A sectional 3-dimensional view of the body constructed by computed tomography.

Diagnostic Imaging

Technology that doctors use to look inside the body for clues for a medical condition; Includes X-ray (Radiography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT (Computed Tomography), and Ultrasound (Sonography)

DNA Microarray

A microarray of immobilized single-stranded DNA fragments of known nucleotide sequence that is used especially in the identification and sequencing of DNA samples and in the analysis of gene expression (as in a cell or tissue).

MRI

A noninvasive diagnostic technique that produces computerized images of internal body tissues and is based on nuclear magnetic resonance of atoms within the body induced by the application of radio waves.

Oncogene

A gene having the potential to cause a normal cell to grow cancerous.

osteosarcoma

cancer derived from bone or containing bone tissue

proto-oncogene

A normal cellular gene corresponding to an oncogene; a gene with a potential to cause cancer but that requires some alteration to become an oncogene.

radiology

a branch of medicine concerned with the use of radiant energy in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

risk factor

something that increases risk or susceptibility

Tumor supressor gene

A gene whose protein products inhibit cell division, thereby preventing uncontrolled cell growth (cancer).

X-ray

to examine, treat, or photograph with X-rays.