MI EOC

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 Immunosorbant Assay)

A quantitative in vitro test for an antibody or antigen in which the test material is absorbed on a surface and exposed either to a complex of an enzyme linked to an antibody specific for the antigen or an enzyme linked to an anti-immunoglobulin specific for the antibody followed by reaction of the enzyme with a substrate to yield a colored product corresponding to the concentration of the test material

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 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 of these

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 (such as a bacterium) 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 and that consists of an external microphone and speech processor that receive and convert sound waves into electrical signals which are transmitted to one or more electrodes implanted in the cochlea where they stimulate the auditory nerve

Conductive Hearing Loss

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

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 that includes the vestibule, the semicircular canals, and the cochlea

Middle Ear

The intermediate portion of the ear containing a chain of three ossicles that extends from the tympanic membrane to the oval window and transmits vibrations to the inner ear

Outer Ear

The outer visible portion of the ear that collects and directs sound waves toward the tympanic membrane by way of a canal which extends inward through the temporal bone

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Hearing loss or impairment resulting from problems with the auditory nerves

Sound

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

Case-control study

A type of epidemiologic study where a group of individuals with the diseases, referred to as cases, are compared to individuals without the disease, referred to as controls

Cohort study

A type of epidemiologic study where a group of exposed individuals (individuals who have been exposed to the potential risk factor) and a group of non-exposed individuals are followed over time to determine the incidence of disease

DNA ligase

A linking enzyme essential for DNA replication and recombinant DNA techniques

Epidemic

Affecting an atypically large number of individuals within a population, community, or region 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 an attack by a disease to which a large proportion of the members of the group are immune

Inoculation

The introduction of a pathogen or antigen into a living organism to stimulate the production of antibodies

Plasmid

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

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 up DNA

Vaccination

A procedure that presents the immune system with a harmless variant of a pathogen, thereby stimulating the immune system to mount a long-term defense against the pathogen

Vaccine

A harmless variant of a pathogen that stimulates a host's immune system to mount defenses against the pathogen

Amniocentesis

A technique for determining genetic abnormalities in a fetus by the presence of certain chemicals or defective fetal cells in the amniotic fluid, obtained by aspiration from a needle inserted into the uterus

Anneal

To be capable of combining with complementary nucleic acid by a process of heating and cooling

Carrier screening

Indiscriminate examination of members of a population to detect heterozygotes for serious disorders

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

A technique for diagnosing genetic and congenital defects in a fetus by removing and analyzing a sample of the fetal portion of the placenta

Denaturation

In DNA, the separation of the two strands of the double helix.

Gene

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

Genetic counseling

A process of communication that deals with the occurrence or risk that a genetic disorder will occur in a family

Genetic testing

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

Genome

The complement of an organism's genes; an organisms genetic material

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism

Karyotype

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

Newborn screening

The analysis of a neonate's blood for metabolic or genetic disorders to prevent mental retardation, disability or death

Phenotype

The physical and physiological traits of an organism

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

A technique that involves copying short pieces of DNA and then making millions of copies in a short period of time

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

In assisted reproductive technology, the determination of genetic abnormalities in the embryo before it is transferred to the uterus

Primer

A short piece of DNA or RNA that is complementary to a section of template strand and acts as an attachment and starting point for the synthesis strand during DNA replication

Restriction enzyme

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

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)

One base-pair variation in the genome sequence

Supernatant

The (usually) clear liquid left behind after a precipitate has been spun down to the bottom of a vessel by centrifugation

Taq polymerase

A DNA synthesis enzyme that can withstand the high temperatures of PCR

Thermal cycler

An instrument that automatically cycles through different temperatures used to complete PCR reactions

Ultrasonography

A noninvasive technique involving the formation of a two-dimensional image used for the examination and measurement of internal body structures and the detection of bodily abnormalities

Cloning

Using a somatic or body cell from a multicellular organism to make one or more genetically identical individuals

Gene Therapy

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

In Vitro Fertilization

A procedure in which gametes are fertilized in a dish in the laboratory, and the resulting zygote is implanted in the uterus for development

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

In assisted reproductive technology, the determination of genetic abnormalities in the embryo before it is transferred to the uterus

Sex Selection

Methods used to predetermine or diagnose the sex of an embryo for the purpose of selecting only those embryos of a particular sex for transplanting to the uterus of a woman

Vector

An agent (as a plasmid or virus) that contains or carries modified genetic material and can be used to introduce extra genes into the genome of an organism

Apoptosis

The changes that occur within a cell as it undergoes programmed cell death, which is brought about by signals that trigger the activation of a cascade of suicide proteins in the cell destined to die.

Biopsy

The removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body.

Bone Scan

A test that detects areas of increased or decreased bone metabolism; test is performed to identify abnormal processes involving the bone such as tumor, infection, or fracture.

Cancer

A malignant tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally and systemically.

Cell Cycle

An ordered sequence of events in the life of a eukaryotic cell, from its origin in the division of a parent cell until its own division into two.

Computed Tomography Scan (CT or CAT Scan)

A sectional 3-dimensional view of the body constructed by computed tomography.

Diagnostic Imaging

Technologies that doctors use to look inside your body for clues about a medical condition; includes X-rays, CT scans, nuclear medicine scans, MRI scans and ultrasound

DNA Microarray

A microarray of immobilized single-stranded DNA fragments of known nucleotide sequence that is used especially in the identification and sequencing of DNA samples and in the analysis of gene expression (as in a cell or tissue).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A noninvasive diagnostic technique that produces computerized images of internal body tissues and is based on nuclear magnetic resonance of atoms within the body induced by the application of radio waves.

Oncogene

A gene having the potential to cause a normal cell to become cancerous.

Osteosarcoma

A cancer derived from bone or containing bone tissue.

Proto-oncogene

A normal cellular gene corresponding to an oncogene; a gene with a potential to cause cancer but that requires some alteration to become an oncogene.

Radiology

A branch of medicine concerned with the use of radiant energy (as X-rays or ultrasound) in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Risk Factor

Something which increases risk or susceptibility.

Tumor Suppressor Gene

A gene whose protein products inhibit cell division, thereby preventing uncontrolled cell growth (cancer).

X-Ray

To examine, treat, or photograph with X-rays.

Allele

Any of the alternative forms of a gene that may occur at a given locus

BRCA

Either of two tumor suppressor genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) that in mutated form tend to be associated with an increased risk of certain cancers and especially breast and ovarian cancers

Cryosurgery

Surgery in which diseased or abnormal tissue (as a tumor or wart) is destroyed or removed by freezing (as by the use of liquid nitrogen)

Familial Cancer

Cancer that occurs in families more often than would be expected by chance. These cancers often occur at an early age, and may indicate the presence of a gene mutation that increases the risk of cancer. They may also be a sign of shared environmental or lifestyle factors.

Genetic Marker

Alteration in DNA that may indicate an increased risk of developing a specific disease or disorder

Hereditary Cancer

An inherited disorder in which affected individuals have a higher-than-normal chance of developing certain types of cancer, often before the age of 50

Marker Analysis

A genetic technique whereby the sequence of the gene is not directly analyzed, but the mutant copy (allele) of the gene is inferred through analysis of a genetic marker

Microsatellite (also known as Short Tandem Repeats-STRs)

Any of numerous short segments of DNA that are distributed throughout the genome, that consist of repeated sequences of usually two to five nucleotides, and that are often useful markers in studies of genetic linkage because they tend to vary from one individual to another

Melanoma

A tumor of high malignancy that starts in melanocytes of normal skin or moles and metastasizes rapidly and widely

Model System

An organism chosen to study broad biological principles

Screening

To test or examine for the presence of something (as a disease)

Sporadic Cancer

Cancer occurring occasionally, singly, or in scattered instances