Human Biology and Health Issues Vocabulary (copy)

Flashcards to review the vocabulary of the lecture notes.

Infecting agents

Organisms that infiltrate another living organism (the host) and cause an infectious disease – this could be a virus, bacterium, fungus, or parasite.

Microorganism

Microscopic organisms that include viruses, bacteria, fungi and some protoctists.

Parasites

Organisms that live in or on another organism (host), obtaining nourishment and shelter from the host, while causing harm.

Virus

An infective agent, consisting of a protein coat and nucleic acid – either DNA or RNA, but not both.

Prokaryotic

Cells that have cell surface membranes, cytoplasm and a cell wall but do not have a proper nucleus containing DNA. Their DNA floats free in the cell cytoplasm.

Pathogenic

Capable of causing disease.

Eukaryotic

Cells that contain a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; organism made of eukaryotic cells.

Fomites

Objects or substances that carry infecting agents and transfer them from one person to another.

Droplets

Tiny drops of moisture produced when a person breathes out/sneezes/coughs. If that person is infected, these droplets may contain bacteria or virus particles that could infect another person.

Epidemiology

The study of the distribution and determinants of diseases and health problems, and the factors that affect their spread in specific populations (groups of people in rural or urban areas for example).

Antibiotics

Medication that treats bacterial infections, either by killing bacteria, or by inhibiting their ability to reproduce.

Antimicrobials

Substances that act to kill or disrupt the growth of microbes. Antimicrobials may be effective against bacteria, fungi, protozoa, or other organisms.

Immunity

The ability of an organism to resist an infecting agent, due to the presence of memory cells.

Herd immunity

Protection of a population from infectious disease that occurs following a large percentage of the population being made immune to the infection.

Cardiovascular system

Also known as the circulatory system. The heart and network of blood vessels supplying the body.

Hypertension

Raised blood pressure.

Atherosclerosis

The build-up of deposits in the arteries. These deposits consist of cholesterol, calcium and other substances found in the blood.

Thrombus

Blood clot.

Stent

A mesh tube, used to open up a blood vessel to restore blood flow.

Thrombosis

A blood clot which may form in the heart, brain or other blood vessels.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a disease mainly caused by smoking.

Malnutrition

When a person does not receive enough nutrients to be able to function, caused by having too little food, or too little types of the food necessary for good health.

Obesity

When a person is more than a third over the normal weight for their age, height and body type.

Osteoarthritis

A painful condition caused by wear and tear on the joints of the body.

X-rays

High energy electromagnetic waves that typically have wavelengths of around 10-10 m.

Absorption

The capacity of a material to take in external radiation.

Penetration

The capacity for radiation to pass through a material while giving up only a small amount of its energy.

Computerised tomography

Process by which a three-dimensional image of a body structure is produced from plane cross-section X-ray images along an axis.

Polarise

Producing charged poles in an object that limit its vibrations to a single direction.

Field coil

A resistive electromagnet that produces a gradient field over the body, helping to locate the radiofrequency signals.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)

The absorption of specific electromagnetic frequencies by atomic nuclei which resonate and, after a short delay, re-emit a radiofrequency.

Stem cells

Undifferentiated cells that can develop into many different types of cell.

Pluripotent

Referring to a stem cell with the ability to become almost any cell type in the body.

Apoptosis

A deliberate process in which cell contents are packaged into small packets of membrane for programmed cell death.

Pharmacokinetics

How a drug is likely to be absorbed, distributed, metabolised and excreted by the body.

Pharmacodynamics

How the potential drug acts in the body – its likely effects on the biochemistry of the body.

Aseptic

Practices and procedures performed under carefully controlled conditions to minimise contamination by microorganisms.

Public health

Organised strategies to prevent disease, promote health and prolong life in a population.

Health surveillance

A system of checks, which may be required by law, to detect ill effects and hazards to health, provide data, and monitor control systems (and check for lapses) to provide protection against hazards to health and wellbeing.

Notifiable disease

An infectious disease that must be reported to local public health officials when detected.

Multinational organisation

A company with branches or facilities in multiple different countries.

Endoscopy

A flexible tube with a light and camera on one end that is inserted into the body to image the stomach and/or intestines.

Primary research

Research that is undertaken by carrying out an experiment.

Secondary research

Research that reviews existing data from previously published sources.

World Health Organisation (WHO)

An agency of the United Nations responsible for international health. It is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and has a global mandate to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable.

What does the World Health Organization do?

The WHO coordinates international health efforts, provides technical assistance to countries, sets health standards and guidelines, and monitors and assesses health trends. It also responds to health emergencies and promotes research.

Who is involved in the World Health Organization?

The WHO involves member states, health professionals, researchers, and other organizations in its work. It collaborates with governments, non-governmental organizations, and other UN agencies to achieve its goals.

How does the World Health Organization carry out its work?

The WHO carries out its work through various programs and initiatives, including disease prevention and control, health system strengthening, and health promotion. It also provides technical support and training to countries to improve their health systems.

The WHO faces several limitations, including funding constraints, political interference, and challenges in coordinating international health efforts. It also faces difficulties

Public Health Agencies

Organized strategies to prevent disease, promote health and prolong life in a population.

What do Public Health Agencies do?

They monitor health trends, implement prevention programs, ensure access to healthcare, and respond to health emergencies.

Who is involved in Public Health Agencies?

Public health professionals, government officials, healthcare providers, community organizations, and researchers.

How do Public Health Agencies carry out their work?

Through policy development, health education, disease surveillance, and providing essential health services.

What are the limitations of Public Health Agencies?

Limited funding, bureaucratic processes, political interference, and difficulty reaching vulnerable populations.

What is the NHS?

The National Health Service (NHS) is the publicly funded healthcare system in the United Kingdom.

What does the NHS do?

The NHS provides a wide range of health services, including primary care, hospital treatment, mental health services, and community health services. It aims to provide healthcare free at the point of use to all UK residents.

Who is involved in the NHS?

The NHS involves healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, allied health professionals), administrative staff, government bodies, and patients. It also includes various organizations and agencies responsible for commissioning and providing healthcare services.

How does the NHS carry out its work?

The NHS carries out its work through a network of hospitals, clinics, and community health centers. It uses a combination of direct service provision, commissioning of services from other providers, and partnerships with local authorities and other organizations.

What are the limitations of the NHS?

The NHS faces several limitations, including funding constraints, workforce shortages, increasing demand for services, and bureaucratic processes. It also faces challenges in addressing health inequalities and providing timely access to care.

What is Health Education England (HEE)?

Health Education England (HEE) is an organization responsible for the education, training, and development of the healthcare workforce in England.

What does Health Education England do?

HEE plans and delivers healthcare education and training, ensures the supply of a skilled workforce, promotes innovation in education, and works to improve the quality of healthcare through education and training.

Who is involved in Health Education England?

HEE involves healthcare professionals, educators, training providers, universities, government bodies, and patients. It collaborates with various organizations and agencies to support the development of the healthcare workforce.

How does Health Education England carry out its work?

HEE carries out its work through a network of local teams, partnerships with educational institutions, and national programs. It develops curricula, commissions training places, and provides funding for education and training initiatives.

What are

What is the GMC?

The General Medical Council (GMC) is the regulatory body for doctors in the UK, ensuring good medical practice.

What does the GMC do?

The GMC registers qualified doctors, sets standards for medical education and practice, and investigates complaints.

Who is involved in the GMC?

The GMC involves doctors, medical educators, patients, and government representatives.

How does the GMC carry out its work?

The GMC sets standards, accredits medical schools, manages the register of doctors, and conducts investigations and disciplinary hearings.

What are the limitations of the GMC?

The GMC faces challenges in balancing public protection with supporting doctors, handling complex cases, and maintaining public confidence.

What is the NMC?

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the regulatory body for nurses and midwives in the UK.

What does the NMC do?

The NMC registers qualified nurses and midwives, sets standards for education and practice, and investigates complaints.

Who is involved in the NMC?

The NMC involves nurses, midwives, educators, patients, and government representatives.

How does the NMC carry out its work?

The NMC sets standards, approves education programmes, maintains a register of nurses and midwives, and handles complaints and disciplinary procedures.

What are the limitations of the NMC?

The NMC faces challenges in maintaining public trust, handling complex cases, and ensuring consistent standards across the nursing and midwifery professions.

What do universities and research groups do?

Universities and research groups conduct research to expand knowledge, educate students, and contribute to advancements in various fields.

Who is involved in universities and research groups?

Researchers, professors, students, funding agencies, and industry partners are involved in universities and research groups.

How do universities and research groups carry out their work?

Universities and research groups carry out their work through research projects, academic programs, publications, conferences, and collaborations.

What are the limitations of universities and research

Universities and research groups face limitations such as funding constraints, ethical considerations, bureaucratic processes, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration.

What do pharmaceutical companies do?

Pharmaceutical companies research, develop, manufacture, and market medications to treat and prevent diseases.

Who is involved in pharmaceutical companies?

Pharmaceutical companies involve scientists, researchers, regulatory affairs specialists, marketing professionals, sales representatives, and investors.

How do pharmaceutical companies carry out their work?

Pharmaceutical companies conduct research, clinical trials, drug manufacturing, marketing and sales activities, and regulatory compliance efforts.

What are the limitations of pharmaceutical companies?

Pharmaceutical companies face limitations such as high research and development costs, regulatory hurdles, patent expirations, ethical concerns, and pricing pressures

What do charities and trusts do?

Charities and trusts support various causes by raising funds, providing resources, and promoting awareness on issues like poverty, education, health, and environmental conservation.

Who is involved in charities and trusts?

Charities and trusts involve donors, volunteers, trustees or board members, beneficiaries, and staff who manage the organization and its activities.

How do charities and trusts carry out their work?

Charities and trusts carry out their work through fundraising events, grant-making, direct service provision, advocacy campaigns, and partnerships with other organizations.