Medical Interventions Midterm Study Guide

Antibody

An antigen-binding immunoglobulin, produced by B cells, that functions as the effector in an immune response.

Antigen

A foreign macromolecule that does not belong to the host organism and elicits an immune response.

Bioinformatics

The collection, classification, storage, and analysis of biochemical and biological information using computers, especially as applied in molecular genetics and genomics.

Concentration

The amount of a specified substance in a unit amount of another substance.

ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay)

A quantitative in vitro test for an antibody or antigen where the test material is absorbed on a surface and exposed to an enzyme linked to an antibody or anti-immunoglobulin to yield a colored product.

Enzyme

A protein serving as a catalyst; a chemical agent that changes the rate of reaction without being consumed by the reaction.

Genome

The complement of an organism’s genes; an organism’s genetic material.

Medical Intervention

Any measure whose purpose is to improve health or alter the course of disease.

Outbreak

A sudden rise in the incidence of a disease.

Pathogen

A specific causative agent of disease.

Primer

A molecule (a short strand of RNA or DNA) whose presence is required for the formation of another molecule (a longer chain of DNA).

Serial dilution

A stepwise dilution of a substance in solution.

Solute

A substance dissolved in another substance.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances, which may be solids, liquids, gases, or a combination.

Solvent

A substance, usually a liquid, capable of dissolving another substance.

Substrate

The reactant on which an enzyme works.

Antibiotic

A substance produced by or derived from a microorganism and able in dilute solution to inhibit or kill another microorganism.

Antibiotic Resistance

Resistance to one or more antibiotics, usually due to additional genetic information.

Conjugation

The one-way transfer of DNA between bacteria in cellular contact.

Nucleoid

The DNA-containing area of a bacterial cell.

Plasmid

A small ring of DNA that carries accessory genes separate from those of the bacterial chromosome.

Transduction

The transfer of genetic material from one organism to another by a genetic vector.

Transformation

The genetic modification of a bacterium by incorporation of free DNA from another ruptured bacterial cell.

Audiogram

A graphic representation of the relation of vibration frequency and the minimum sound intensity for hearing.

Cochlear Implant

An electrical prosthetic device that enables individuals with sensorineural hearing loss to recognize some sounds.

Sound

Mechanical energy that is transmitted by longitudinal pressure waves in a medium (such as water or air).

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Hearing loss or impairment resulting from problems with the auditory nerves.

Outer Ear

The outer visible portion of the ear that collects and directs sound waves toward the tympanic membrane.

Middle Ear

The intermediate portion of the ear containing a chain of three ossicles that transmits vibrations to the inner ear.

Hearing Aid

An electronic device usually worn by a person for amplifying sound before it reaches the receptor organs.

Inner Ear

The essential part of the vertebrate organ of hearing and equilibrium, including the vestibule, semicircular canals, and cochlea.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Hearing loss or impairment resulting from interference with the transmission of sound waves to the cochlea.

Case-control study

A type of epidemiologic study comparing a group of individuals with a disease (cases) to those without (controls).

Cohort study

A type of epidemiologic study where a group of exposed individuals and a non-exposed group are followed over time.

DNA ligase

A linking enzyme essential for DNA replication and recombinant DNA techniques.

Epidemic

Affecting an atypically large number of individuals within a population at the same time.

Epidemiology

A branch of medical science that deals with the incidence, distribution, and control of disease in a population.

Herd immunity

The resistance of a group to a disease to which a large proportion are immune.

Inoculation

The introduction of a pathogen or antigen into a living organism to stimulate antibody production.

Recombinant DNA

A DNA molecule made in vitro with segments from different sources.

Restriction enzyme

A degradative enzyme that recognizes specific nucleotide sequences and cuts DNA.

Vaccination

A procedure that presents the immune system with a harmless variant of a pathogen.

Vaccine

A harmless variant of a pathogen that stimulates the immune system to mount defenses against it.

Genes

A discrete unit of hereditary information consisting of a specific nucleotide sequence of DNA.

Genetic counseling

A process of communication concerning the occurrence or risk of genetic disorders in a family.

Genetic testing

The use of methods to determine if someone has a genetic disorder or will develop one.

Karyotype

A display of the chromosome pairs of a cell arranged by size and shape.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

A technique that involves copying short pieces of DNA to make millions of copies.

Taq polymerase

A DNA synthesis enzyme that withstands high temperatures of PCR.

Thermal cycler

An instrument that automatically cycles through temperatures for PCR reactions.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism.

Phenotype

The physical and physiological traits of an organism.

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)

One base-pair variation in the genome sequence.

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

A technique for diagnosing genetic defects in a fetus by analyzing a sample of the placenta.

Amniocentesis

A technique for determining genetic abnormalities in a fetus through amniotic fluid analysis.

Maternal Serum Screening

First trimester screening usually completed in conjunction with an ultrasound.

Ultrasound

A noninvasive technique for examining and measuring internal body structures.

Noninvasive Prenatal Screening

A test that screens a newborn's DNA using fragments circulating in the parent's blood.

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

The determination of genetic abnormalities in an embryo before transfer to the uterus.

Supernatant

The clear liquid left after a precipitate has been centrifuged.

Anneal

To combine with complementary nucleic acid through heating and cooling.

Denaturation

The separation of two strands of DNA in the double helix.

Gene therapy

The alteration of genes of a person afflicted with a genetic disease.

Vector

An agent that carries modified genetic material to introduce genes into an organism's genome.

In vivo

Taking place inside a living organism.

In vitro

Performed in the lab, outside of a living organism.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

A procedure where gametes are fertilized in a dish and implanted in the uterus.

Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)

The determination of genetic abnormalities in an embryo before transfer to the uterus.