BIological engineering midterms

Robert Koch

German bacteriologist known for proving that specific microbes cause specific diseases, established fundamental postulates for identifying causative agents.

Koch's Postulates

A set of criteria established by Robert Koch to identify the causative agent of a disease.

Nanotoxicity

The study of the potential adverse effects of nanomaterials on biological systems, including their ability to induce cytokine production.

Positive Control

An experimental group that receives a treatment with known effects; used to ensure that the experiment is capable of detecting responses.

Negative Control

An experimental group that does not receive the experimental treatment; used to ensure that observed effects are specific to the experimental variable.

Double-Blinded Study

A clinical trial design where neither the participants nor the researchers know who is receiving the treatment, reducing bias.

Epigenetics

The study of changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence, influenced by environmental factors.

Stem Cell Lines

Cell lines that can self-renew or differentiate into various cell types, often used in research for their regenerative capabilities.

Colony-forming units (CFUs)

A unit used to estimate the number of viable bacteria or fungal cells in a sample, based on their ability to form colonies.

Cell Culture

A process by which cells are grown under controlled conditions, typically outside their natural environment.

Cytokine

Small proteins that are important in cell signaling, especially in the immune response.

Immortalized Cell Lines

Cell lines that can divide indefinitely due to mutations or transformation, often used in research.

pH Indicator

A dye, like phenol red, that changes color in response to acidic or basic conditions, used in cell culture media.

Osmotic Pressure

The pressure required to stop the flow of a solvent across a semipermeable membrane, crucial for understanding cellular environments.

Nanoparticles

Particles between 1 and 100 nm in size, with unique physical and chemical properties, often used in medical applications.

Cryoprotectant

A substance used to protect biological tissue from freezing damage during the process of cryopreservation.

Flow Cytometry

A technology used to analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of cells or particles, often used in cell biology.

Cell Fixation

A process used to preserve cells in a state that is as close to the living state as possible, typically involving chemical agents.

Fluorescent Microscope

An optical microscope that uses fluorescence and phosphorescence to study properties of organic and inorganic substances.

Cell Passage

The process of transferring cells from one culture vessel to another to allow for continued growth and study.

Cell Density

The number of cells in a given volume, important for maintaining healthy cell cultures.

Biological Hierarchy

A way to organize biological structures from the simplest (cell) to the most complex (ecosystem).

Synthetic Biology

An interdisciplinary field that involves designing and constructing new biological parts and systems.

Gene Therapy

A therapeutic technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease, often by correcting defective genes.

Pathogen

An organism, such as a bacterium or virus, that can cause disease in a host.

In Vitro

A term meaning 'within the glass,' referring to studies or experiments performed outside a living organism, typically in a controlled lab environment.

Antigen

A substance that induces an immune response, often used in vaccines to provoke a protective reaction.

Biomarker

A biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that can indicate a condition or disease.

Cloning

The process of creating genetically identical copies of biological material, such as cells or organisms.

Tissue Engineering

An interdisciplinary field that applies principles of engineering and life sciences to develop biological substitutes that restore, maintain, or improve tissue function.

Microbiome

The collection of all the microorganisms living in a specific environment, like the human gut, playing crucial roles in health and disease.

Carcinogen

A substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue.

Vaccine

A biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease.

CRISPR

A revolutionary gene-editing technology that allows for precise modifications to DNA in various organisms.

Pathogenicity

The ability of an organism to cause disease.

Virulence

The degree of pathogenicity within a group or species of pathogens.

Host

An organism that harbors a pathogen or another symbiotic organism.

Inoculation

The introduction of an antigen into the body to stimulate an immune response.

Zoonosis

A disease that is transmitted from animals to humans.

Bioinformatics

The application of computer technology to the management of biological information.

Microarray

A tool used to analyze gene expression across thousands of genes simultaneously.

Synthetic Biology

An interdisciplinary field that combines biology and engineering to build new biological parts and systems.

Epidemiology

The study of how diseases affect the health and illness of populations.

Incubation Period

The time between exposure to a pathogen and the onset of symptoms.

Antibody

A protein produced by the immune system that binds to specific antigens to neutralize or eliminate them.

Probiotics

Live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed, often by enhancing gut microbiome health.

Biohazard

Biological substances that pose a threat to the health of living organisms, primarily humans.

Genomics

The study of genomes, the complete set of DNA within an organism, including its structure, function, evolution, and mapping.

Therapeutic Cloning

A cloning technique aimed at creating tissues or organs for medical purposes without creating a new organism.

Pathogen Reservoir

Natural hosts of pathogens, where they can live and multiply before infecting a new host.

Virulence Factors

Molecules produced by pathogens that contribute to their ability to cause disease.

Public Health

The science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities.