BioEng Mid Term Study Guide

When do congenital heart defects occur?

When problems during the embryonic development

Can congenital heart defects be present at birth?

Yes, they are called birth defects

How many people are born with congenital heart defects?

9 in every 1000

What does the congenital heart defect affect?

Heart structure and the large blood vessels that directly move blood to and from the heart

What issues can congenital heart defects cause?

Blocks blood flow or cause blood to flow in irregular patterns through the heart

Is there a cure or medication to help with congenital heart defects?

Medication or surgery may be necessary to correct

How is cardiovascular disease developed?

Over time due to environmental and lifestyle factors

Who is primarily affected by cardiovascular disease?

Individuals over the age of 60

Can cardiovascular disease occur in younger individuals?

Yes

What is the Pericardium?

A protective membrane around the heart.

What is blood pressure measured in?

mmHg

How is blood pressure reported?

As a fraction: Systolic pressure / diastolic pressure

What is systolic pressure?

Pressure in the arteries while the heart beats (top number)

What is diastolic pressure?

Pressure in the arteries while the heart rests (bottom number)

What is hypertension?

Abnormally high blood pressure

What causes high blood pressure?

Diabetes, high-sodium diets, smoking, age, genetics

What is the initial symptom of high blood pressure?

Typically asymptomatic

What are the long-term consequences of untreated hypertension?

Heart disease, heart failure, kidney failure, general heart/artery damage

What is hypotension?

Abnormally low blood pressure

What are the symptoms of low blood pressure?

Dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, fatigue

What is Gel Electrophoresis?

A technique used to separate molecules (DNA strands and proteins) according to their lengths.

What is the purpose of gel electrophoresis?

To sort DNA strands according to length and compare DNA samples using restriction enzymes.

What is the purpose of the buffer solution in gel electrophoresis?

To help the electrical charges flow through the gel.

What is the role of the electric current and the placement of the electrodes in gel electrophoresis?

To allow positive and negative charges to move towards opposite charges, enabling scientists to view the pattern.

Upon completion of a gel electrophoresis run, which fragments are found closest to the sample wells?

The largest fragments are closest to the sample wells due to their size.

Which wire is closest to the wells in gel electrophoresis?

black/negative wire

Which wire is farthest from the wells in gel electrophoresis?

red/positive wire

What are the functions of collagen fibers?

Disperse creating a strong elastic in the dermis.

How are collagen fibers impacted by UV radiation?

They are broken down after UV light exposure, leading to loss of elasticity of the skin and premature aging.

What are the functions of keratinocytes?

Creates the toughness of the outer layer in the epidermis and die/change shapes when pushed from the stratum basale to the stratum corneum.

How are keratinocytes affected by UV radiation?

Use melanin to protect themselves from radiation, which can cause DNA damage and cell death.

What are the functions of melanocytes?

Contained in the stratum basale where they produce melanin.

How are melanocytes affected by UV radiation?

UV radiation triggers melanocytes to produce more melanin to protect the skin.

What are thymine dimers?

A type of DNA damage created when thymine bases become covalently linked.

Why are thymine dimers problematic?

They can cause buckling in the strand and create misreading during DNA replication.

How are thymine dimers corrected by nucleotide excision repair?

Nuclease cuts out the damaged part, which is then filled in with the correct base to fit the complementary DNA strand.

What are the symptoms of Basal cell carcinoma?

Shiny lesions appear, typically on the face.

What is Basal cell carcinoma?

When Stratum basale cells lose the ability to form keratin and the boundary between the epidermis and dermis is not observed.

What is the prognosis for Basal cell carcinoma?

99% survival rate with treatment.

What are the symptoms of Squamous cell carcinoma?

Lesions appear scaly and usually produce an ulcer.

What is the prognosis for Squamous cell carcinoma?

Fairly good cure rate if removed and treated early with radiation.

Which cancer is more rapid, Squamous or Basal?

Squamous.

What are the symptoms of Malignant melanoma?

Spreads as a black or brown lesion with irregular borders.

What is the prognosis for Malignant melanoma?

Grows rapidly and metastasizes quickly - survival rate is ~50%.

A in melanoma

Asymmetry, two lesion sides not matching

B in melanoma

Border irregularity, when the borders have indentations

C in melanoma

Color, lesions have different colors or is very dark

D in melanoma

Diameter, lesion is larger in diameter than 6 mm

E in melanoma

Evolving, any changes seen in size, shape, color, etc.

What is refraction?

The bending of light through a material.

What causes refraction?

The change in speed of light as it passes through a material.

What is constructive interference?

Occurs when light is 'in phase', magnifying the color and making it appear more vibrant.

What is destructive interference?

Occurs when light is 'out of phase', resulting in colors diminishing and becoming duller.

How does thickness affect color observation in a thin film?

Changes the amount light travels to reflect and how waves interfere, affecting brightness.

How does material affect color observation in a thin film?

Alters the index of refraction, causing light to bend differently and show different colors.

How do pores affect color observation in a thin film?

Filling pores changes the index of refraction, altering how light bends and the colors shown.

What is the index of refraction of water?

1.33

What is the index of refraction of air?

1.00

What do shorter wavelengths indicate?

Decreased film thickness.

What happens when a cancer-causing gene binds to the film?

Increases its refractive index, making it thicker.

What do red shifts indicate?

Longer refractive wavelengths.

What do blue shifts indicate?

Shorter refractive wavelengths.

What is a refractive index?

It tells you how much a material slows down light waves and bends them.

What happens with a high refractive index?

Light slows down and bends more.

What happens with a low refractive index?

Light speeds up and bends less.