Global Challenges

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

The later stage of HIV infection resulting in a weakened immune system susceptible to other infections.

Afforestation

Growing trees to replace those cut down.

Antibiotic

Medication curing bacterial disease by killing infective bacteria.

Antibiotic Resistance

Bacteria's ability to resist antibiotics, providing evidence for evolution.

Antibiotic Resistance Markers

Genes producing proteins enabling cells to resist antibiotics.

Antigen

Protein on pathogen surface inducing an immune response.

Antiseptic

Medication killing disease-causing microorganisms.

Antiviral

Medication curing viral disease by killing infective viruses.

Aseptic Techniques

Techniques to culture microorganisms under sterile conditions.

Athlete’s Foot

Disease caused by fungus in animals, treated with antifungal creams.

Autoclaving

Method to sterilize glassware and growth media in a heated container.

Bacteria

Single-celled, prokaryotic pathogens (not all are pathogenic).

Barley Powdery Mildew

Disease caused by fungus in plants, leading to white fluffy growth on leaves.

Benign Tumour

Non-cancerous tumor that doesn't spread.

Biodiversity

Variety of organisms in an ecosystem.

Blood

Tissue containing red/white blood cells, plasma, and platelets.

Bronchitis

Inflammation of bronchi and bronchioles, a non-communicable disease.

Capture-Recapture

Estimating population size by marking and recapturing organisms.

Cancer

Uncontrolled cell growth and division.

Carcinogens

Cancer-causing chemicals or agents.

Cardiovascular Disease

Non-communicable disease affecting the heart or blood vessels.

Cell Wall

Outer layer providing strength and support to plant cells.

Cervical Cancer

Disease resulting from prolonged HPV infection.

Cilia

Hair-like structures on cells beating to waft substances.

Cirrhosis

Disease causing liver scarring due to excess alcohol consumption.

Communicable Disease

Spreadable disease caused by pathogens.

Conservation

Preservation and management of the environment.

Coronary Heart Disease

Blockage of coronary arteries affecting oxygen supply to the heart.

Crown Gall Disease

Disease in plants caused by Agrobacterium, leading to stem and root tumors.

Cuticle

Waxy leaf layer acting as a barrier to pathogens.

Disease

Illness affecting animal or plant health.

Ecosystem

Community of organisms and non-living components in an area.

Ecotourism

Tourism benefiting local conservation schemes.

Fertiliser

Materials added to soil to provide nutrients for plant growth.

Flaming

Sterilization method to prevent contamination.

Fungi

Eukaryotic pathogens, single-celled or multicellular.

Genetic Engineering

Modifying an organism's genome to introduce desirable traits.

Genetic Modification

Altering an organism's genetic information.

Genome

Organism's complete genetic material.

Habitat

Living place for organisms including biotic and abiotic factors.

Health

Well-being concerning physical and mental state.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

Hormone present in pregnant women's urine.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Communicable virus transmitted through bodily fluids.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Communicable viral disease transmitted through unprotected sex.

Hydroponics

Growing plants in a medium other than soil with added nutrients.

Immune System

Body's defense against foreign bodies.

Immunosuppressant Drugs

Medication suppressing the immune system post-transplant.

Ligase

Enzyme joining DNA pieces together.

Lymphocyte

White blood cell protecting against disease.

Malaria

Disease caused by a protist spread by mosquitoes.

Malignant Tumour

Cancerous tumor spreading rapidly.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Specific antibodies produced from a single clone of cells.

Non-Communicable Disease

Not spreadable, caused by environmental factors or inheritance.

Non-Specific Defence System

Defense system against various pathogens.

Pathogen

Microorganism causing disease.

Pesticide

Chemical controlling pests around crops.

Placebo

Inactive drug with no effect on the recipient.

Plasmid

Circular DNA loop used as a vector in genetic engineering.

Platelets

Cell fragments aiding blood clotting.

Pollution

Contamination of the environment due to human intervention.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Technique amplifying DNA fragments.

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Photosynthesis

Process by which trees take in CO2 and produce oxygen using sunlight.

Biodiversity

Variety of different species in an ecosystem.

Conservation

Efforts to protect and preserve habitats and species.

Deforestation

Clearing of trees from an area, leading to habitat destruction.

Genetic Engineering

Modification of an organism's genome to introduce desirable traits.

Communicable Diseases

Illnesses that can be spread between individuals, caused by pathogens.

ELISA

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, a test to detect pathogens in plants.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Technique to amplify a small section of DNA for analysis.

Observation in Plant Health

Involves assessing not only the appearance but also the tactile and olfactory aspects, e.g., stunted growth, presence of fungus.

Non-Specific Defences

The immune system's general defense mechanisms to prevent pathogens from entering the body, including physical barriers like the skin and antimicrobial secretions.

Specific Defences

Immune responses targeting specific pathogens, involving white blood cells producing antibodies and antitoxins to combat pathogens effectively.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Identical antibodies produced from lymphocytes, used in various medical applications like pregnancy tests, cancer diagnosis, and treatment.

Vaccines

Stimulate immunity against diseases by introducing a dead or weakened pathogen, aiding in preventing epidemics and providing immunity without causing illness.

Antibiotics

Medicines that kill bacterial pathogens without harming body cells, contributing to the reduction of deaths from bacterial diseases.

Antivirals

Medications used to stop viral replication, as viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics.

Antiseptics

Chemicals that kill foreign microorganisms, commonly used to sterilize wounds and prevent infections.

Aseptic Techniques

Procedures to prevent contamination of pure cultures, crucial for testing the effectiveness of antiseptics and antibiotics.

Lifestyle Factors and NCDs

Lifestyle choices like diet, exercise, alcohol consumption, and smoking can influence the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

Coronary Artery Disease

A buildup of cholesterol in coronary arteries leading to fatty deposits, potentially causing a heart attack if untreated.

Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases

Factors like smoking, high blood pressure, high salt intake, and saturated fat consumption that increase the risk of heart diseases.

Lifestyle Choices for CVD Prevention

Includes regular exercise, not smoking, weight loss, and reducing saturated fats in the diet to lower the risk of heart diseases.

Statins

Drugs that lower blood cholesterol by reducing its production in the liver, prescribed for heart disease or high-risk individuals, with long-term use and potential side effects.

Stents

Wire mesh tubes inserted into coronary arteries to keep them open for proper blood flow, typically made of metal alloys to prevent rejection.

Cancer

Uncontrolled cell growth leading to tumours, which can be benign (grow slowly, don't spread) or malignant (grow quickly, spread to other parts).

Risk Factors for Cancer

Include exposure to carcinogens, age-related mutations, genetic factors like BRCA1 gene, and lifestyle choices such as smoking and sun exposure.

Stem Cells in Medicine

Versatile cells used to replace damaged cells, treat diseases like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and leukaemia, with ethical concerns and potential for mutations.

Gene Technology in Medicine

Involves genetic engineering for producing human insulin, treating inherited conditions by replacing faulty genes, and genetic testing for diseases like Huntington's.

Human Genome Project

Project that enhanced understanding of human genes, disease prediction, and treatment effectiveness by targeting genomes.