Biology, Topic 5 - Health, Disease and the Development of Medicines

Antibiotic

A chemical or compound produced by a living organism that kills or prevents the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics have no effect on the cells of the host organism.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by B

Anticoagulants

Drugs that reduce clotting of the blood, lowering the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Antigen

A unique chemical present on the surface of a cell that induces an immune response.

Antihypertensives

Drugs that lower blood pressure, reducing damage to artery walls and the build

Single

blind trial

B

lymphocyte

BMI

A value based on height and mass used to categorise an individual as underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese.

Carbon monoxide

A chemical found in cigarette smoke that lowers the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen. This results in an increased heart rate, raising the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease

A group of diseases affecting the heart or blood vessels.

Cell wall

An outer layer made of cellulose that strengthens plant cells and serves as a physical barrier against pathogens.

Chalara ash dieback

An airborne fungal disease that infects ash trees resulting in dark lesions on bark and blackened leaves which wilt and eventually die.

Chlamydia

An infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia, which is spread through sexual contact and may result in infertility.

Cholera

A water

Cilia

Hair

Cirrhosis

Scarring of the liver tissue resulting from the breakdown of alcohol into toxic products in the liver.

Clinical testing

Drug testing carried out on healthy human volunteers to check for any side effects and then on patients to determine the drug's efficacy and to establish an optimum dose.

Communicable disease

A disease that is caused by a pathogen which can be spread between individuals (either directly or indirectly).

Coronary bypass

A surgical procedure involving the use of a blood vessel from another region of the body (e.g. leg, arm) to divert blood around a blockage in the coronary artery

Diagnostic testing

The detection of foreign antigens in a sample of tissue, or the analysis of pathogenic DNA, to allow accurate identification of specific pathogens.

Disease

A disorder of the body or mind that negatively affects an individual's health.

Distribution

The spread of living organisms in an ecosystem. The distribution of infected organisms can be analysed to indicate the type of pathogen involved and its mode of transmission.

Double

blind trial

Health

A state of complete physical, mental and social well

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)

An infectious virus that is spread by direct contact with infected body fluids. It destroys white blood cells, weakening the immune system and may lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

Hybridoma cell

A hybrid cell that results from the fusion of a B

Hydrochloric acid

The primary constituent of stomach acid. Its acidic pH kills any pathogens that are swallowed.

Immune system

The body's defence against pathogens once they have entered the body.

It aims to prevent or minimise disease caused by pathogens.

Immunisation

The deliberate exposure of an individual to a dead or inactive pathogen. This triggers the production of antibodies and memory lymphocytes, providing immunity against a disease.

Lysozyme

An enzyme found in tears that digests bacterial cell walls, killing bacteria and protecting the eye.

Malaria

A disease caused by a protist that lives within two hosts: mosquitoes and humans. It results in damage to red blood cells and causes recurrent episodes of fever.

Malnutrition

A condition resulting from a diet lacking in, or too rich in nutrients.

Memory lymphocyte

A type of white blood cell that remains in the blood and provides immunological memory to a specific antigen on a pathogen.

Monoclonal antibodies

Antibodies that are clones from a single parent B

Mucus

A viscous, slimy fluid that lines the surface of many tissues in the body and traps pathogens.

Myeloma cell

A type of tumour cell that fuses with a B

Nicotine

A chemical found in cigarette smoke that raises heart rate and blood pressure, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Non

communicable disease

Non

specific defences

Pathogen

A disease

Placebo

A substance that is indistinguishable from the real drug but has no effect on the recipient.

Pre

clinical drug testing

Pregnancy test kit

A test that uses monoclonal antibodies to detect HCG in a woman's urine. A positive result (the formation of a blue line) indicates pregnancy.

Primary immune response

The response of the immune system to a pathogen when it is first encountered. A small number of antibodies are produced slowly.

Risk factor

A variable associated with a greater chance of developing a disease or infection.

Secondary immune response

The response of the immune system to a pathogen when it is encountered for a second (third, fourth...etc.) time. Memory lymphocytes rapidly produce a large number of antibodies.

Sexually transmitted infection (STI)

An infection that is spread through sexual contact or direct contact with infected genital fluids.

Side effects

Additional effects that a drug has, different from those intended.

Specific immune response

The second line of defense against pathogens triggered by foreign antigens.

Statins

A class of drugs used to decrease blood cholesterol levels, reducing the rate of fatty deposit build

Stent

A small, hollow tube that can be surgically implanted into the lumen of arteries to keep them open.

Susceptible

Describes an individual that is at an increased risk of contracting a disease.

Symptom

Transplant

A medical procedure in which an organ or tissue in an individual is replaced.

Transplant

A medical procedure in which an organ or tissue in an individual is replaced.

Tuberculosis

An airborne bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that damages lung tissue and weakens the immune system.

Tumour markers

Proteins present on the cell surface membranes of cancer cells that are not found on normal body cells.

Viruses

Non

Waist

to

White blood cells

Cells of the immune system that protect the body from invading pathogens.