Biomedical Final

Steps to experimental design

Identify the experiment, Make a prediction, Design an experiment, Conduct the experiment, Analyze data, Communicate the findings/results

Independent variable

The variable that is being manipulated

Dependent variable

The outcome of the experiment after variable is manipulated

Example of independent variable

Fertilizer amount is varied in 3 different pots

Example of dependent variable

Height of plant

Zone Method

Divide scene into distinct zone areas (Example: Divide a house into each respective room)

Spiral Method

Start at center of crime and spiral your way outward looking for evidence (or vice versa)

Line Method

Start in a long line of people, arms length apart, and everyone walks straight (used in large open areas, like a field)

Types of evidence to identify suspects

DNA evidence from Hair, Blood, Fingerprints, Digital evidence from Cameras, Cell Phones, Social Media Accounts

PPE in crime scene investigations

Gloves: Wear to not contaminate evidence, Wear to avoid contact with bodily fluids that can transmit disease, Facemask/Shields: Keeps investigator safe, avoids evidence contamination, All PPE: Shows degree of professionalism and helps keep crime scene from being contaminated

Physiological signs monitored in polygraph test

Blood Pressure, Pulse, Respiration Rate, Skin Conductivity (sweat level increase?)

Fight or flight response

A stimulus surprises an individual (like a question during an interview), Adrenaline is released from adrenal glands, Adrenaline causes an increase in Heart rate and Breathing rate

Identification of unknown pills

A toxicologist would be responsible for testing chemicals

Bloodstain pattern analysis

A bloodstain pattern can reveal what type of information

Monomer of DNA

Describe the structure, properties, and components of DNA

Why is DNA considered a polymer?

DNA is considered a polymer because it is made up of repeating units (monomers) called nucleotides.

Phosphate group

A component of a nucleotide that consists of a phosphorus atom bonded to four oxygen atoms.

Deoxyribose sugar

A five-carbon sugar molecule that is a component of DNA.

Nitrogenous base

A molecule that contains nitrogen and acts as a base; it is a component of nucleotides in DNA and RNA.

Double helix structure

The shape of DNA, consisting of two strands that wind around each other.

Genetic information

Information encoded in DNA that determines the traits of an organism.

Nucleotide

The monomer of DNA, consisting of a phosphate group, a deoxyribose sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Polymer

A large molecule composed of many repeated subunits, such as DNA made of many nucleotides.

Chargaff's rules of base pairing

A pairs with T and G pairs with C in DNA base pairing.

Hydrogen bonds

The type of bond that holds the paired DNA bases together.

Gene

A segment of DNA that codes for a specific protein or trait.

Complementary DNA strand

The DNA strand that pairs with a given strand based on base pairing rules.

Restriction enzyme

An enzyme that cuts DNA at specific sequences.

HAEIII

A restriction enzyme that cuts DNA at the sequence CC GG or GG CC.

DNA segments produced by HAEIII

3 segments were produced after HAEIII made 2 cuts.

Protein synthesis

The process by which cells create proteins based on the instructions in DNA.

mRNA

Messenger RNA that carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome.

tRNA

Transfer RNA that brings amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA that makes up the ribosome and helps in protein synthesis.

Transcription

The process of converting DNA into mRNA.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA at the ribosome.

Anti-codon

A sequence of three nucleotides on tRNA that pairs with a codon on mRNA.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid.

Amino Acid

The building blocks of proteins, coded for by mRNA.

Autopsy

A medical examination of a deceased person's body to determine the cause of death.

Cause of death

The actual disease, injury, or condition that led to death.

Mechanism of death

The specific body failure that describes how the body stopped functioning.

Manner of death

The legal classification that explains how the death occurred.

Coroner

An investigator who determines the cause and manner of death but is not necessarily a doctor.

Medical Examiner

A doctor who performs autopsies and determines the cause of death.

What is a karyotype? What type of genetic disorder can be diagnosed using a karyotype? Provide an example.

a picture of a person's chromosomes. It helps detect chromosomal disorders like Down syndrome (Trisomy 21).

What are the four (4) parts of blood? Describe each parts function.

Red blood cells (carry oxygen), white blood cells (fight infection), platelets (help blood clot), plasma (carries nutrients, hormones, and waste).

Use a picture to demonstrate the relationship between DNA, chromosomes, and genes.

DNA makes up genes, and genes are sections of chromosomes, which are tightly coiled strands of DNA.

What does HIPAA stand for? What is its purpose?

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; protects patient health information and privacy.

What is a Punnett square? What medical profession would use a Punnett square in their daily routine?

A diagram used to predict genetic inheritance. Genetic counselors use it to help families understand inherited conditions.

What are sickled red blood cells? What causes red blood cells to become sickled?

Abnormally shaped cells that look like crescents; caused by a mutation in the hemoglobin gene (HBB).

How is anemia diagnosed? What are the results for a healthy patient vs. an anemic patient?

Diagnosed through a blood test measuring hemoglobin and hematocrit. Healthy: normal levels; Anemic: low hemoglobin and fewer red blood cells.

What health complications are caused by sickled red blood cells? Identify which body system the sickled red blood cells are affecting.

Blocked blood flow, pain, organ damage; affects the circulatory system.

What is the difference between experimental probability of inheritance and theoretical probability of inheritance?

Theoretical is what should happen based on math (Punnett squares), while experimental is what actually happens in real data.

A father is Ss for sickle cell anemia and mother is also Ss. Use a Punnett square to calculate the probability of having a child with sickle cell.

Punnett square results: SS (25%), Ss (50%), ss (25%). So, there's a 25% chance of a child having sickle cell disease.

Compare and contrast sickle cell disease and Best disease. What do you know about the inheritance of each disease?

Sickle cell is autosomal recessive (both parents must pass on the gene), while Best disease is autosomal dominant (only one copy needed). Sickle cell affects blood; Best disease affects vision.

Why is glucose important for our cells?

Glucose provides energy for cellular functions through cellular respiration (ATP production).

What is the difference between hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia?

Hyperglycemia = high blood sugar; Hypoglycemia = low blood sugar.

Describe two (2) complications in the human body system caused by Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney failure (nephropathy); affects nervous and urinary systems.

Q: Create a heart box diagram and label the following parts:

Nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney failure (nephropathy); affects nervous and urinary systems.

: What is heart rate? What is normal heart rate in healthy adult

Number of heartbeats per minute; Normal = 60-100 bpm.

What is blood pressure? What is normal blood pressure in a healthy adult?

force of blood against artery.

What is normal blood pressure in a healthy adult?

120/80 mmHg.

How is blood pressure measured?

sphygmomanometer

What is the difference between systolic and diastolic? What units are used in blood pressure measurement?

Systolic = pressure when heart beats, Diastolic = pressure when heart rests. Units: mmHg.

What is the connection between polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction enzymes, and gel electrophoresis?

PCR amplifies DNA, restriction enzymes cut it, and gel electrophoresis separates DNA by size

What can these processes be used to analyze?

used for DNA analysis and identification.

What causes DNA to run across/down a gel electrophoresis? (Charge of molecule vs. machine)

DNA is negatively charged and moves toward the positive electrode in the gel.

What is Gram-Positive?

Gram-positive = thick cell wall, stains purple.

What is gram negative bacteria?

Gram-negative = thin wall + outer membrane, stains pink/red.

Explain a positive feedback loop

perpetually getting more of something the more it increases Ex: child birth

Explain a negative feedback loop

maintains homeostasis (e.g., body temp, blood sugar).

How are infectious agents contracted (Mode of transmission?)

Direct contact, droplets, airborne, contaminated food/water, vectors (e.g., mosquitoes).

Empathy

understanding others' feelings.

demeanor

outward behavior.

Tact

sensitivity in how something is said/done.

What are the four (4) main parts of a medical interview

Chief complaint, medical history, review of systems, physical exam.

Blood Pressure:

120/80 mmHg

Pulse

60-100 bpm

Respiration Rate:

12-20 breaths/min

Temperature

97.8-99.1°F (37°C average)

Oxygen Saturation

95-100%

Hypertension

high blood pressure 140/90

Hypotension

low blood pressure

Hypothermia

body temp < 95°F (35°C

Fever

temp > 100.4°F (38°C).

Bradycardia

slow heart rate (<60 bpm)

Tachycardia

fast heart rate (>100 bpm).

Why is it important to take vital signs in every clinical visit?

help detect underlying issues and monitor health status changes.

Three Areas to take accurate pulse

Radial (wrist), carotid (neck), brachial (arm).

When looking at a patients eyes, what symptoms may cause concern?

Redness, swelling, discharge, corneal abrasions, retina changes

When looking at a patient's ears, what symptoms may cause concern?

Redness or bulging of eardrum (indicates fluid or infection).

When looking at a patient's mouth, what symptoms may cause concern?

Red, inflamed tonsils, white patches, swollen lymph nodes.

Waht is the ideal location to take temeprature of a corpse?

Rectum or liver (core temperature).

Rigor Mortis

muscle stiffening after death

Livor Mortis

pooling of blood (causes skin discoloration).

Glastier Formula Example

(98.4 - 90.3) ÷ 1.5 = ~5.4 hours since death

Algor Mortis

Cooling of the body after death.

What does the prescence of insects on a corpse indicate?

Time since death (postmortem interval).

What causes rigor mortis to end?

Muscle tissue breakdown due to decomposition.