PLTW Medical Interventions Unit 1 (Salesian)

Medical Intervention

Any measure whose purpose is to improve health or alter the course of disease
Medical interventions help maintain health and homeostasis in the body.

Pathogen

A specific causative agent of disease

Outbreak

A sudden rise in the incidence of a disease

Primer

Complimentary DNA segment that allows the enzyme to bind to the DNA for DNA replication.

Bioinformatics

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

Genome

An organisms genetic material

DNA Sequencing

The DNA is placed in order by size (smallest to largest) using gel electrophoresis or a similar method. It is then tagged by color (using fluorescent markers on the stoppers of the DNA) as to what nucleotide it represents. The nucleotides in size order are the DNA sequence. The bacteria can be identified using BLAST

Concentration

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

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

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.

ELISA Steps

1. The sample is added to a plastic well, where the proteins are bound to the cell wall. A detergent washes away unbound proteins while preventing more proteins from binding to the cell wall.
2. The Primary Antibody binds to a specific antigen in the cell. Excess is washed away.
3. The Secondary Antibody, which is bound to the enzyme, is added. Excess is washed away.
4. The enzyme substrate is added, causing the liquid to turn blue (oxidation)

Enzyme

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

Serial Dilution

A stepwise dilution of a substance in a solution

Nucleoid

The nucleoid (meaning nucleus-like) is an irregularly-shaped region within the cell of a prokaryote that contains all or most of the genetic material.

Plasmid

Small, circular piece of DNA. Located in the cytoplasm and contain information for antibiotic resistance.

Ribosomes

Produce proteins

Cell Wall

Differ between Gram-Positive (no outer membrane, stains blue) and Gram-Negative (stains red, contains a second membrane)

Plasma Membrane

Found in the envelope, protects the cell and controls what goes in and out.

Capsule

Most outer layer of the cell, protects it from phagocytosis (white blood cells)

Flagella

Responsible for movement

Pili

(Fimbriae) Hollow hair-like structures that extend from the cell and allow it to attach to other cells

Endotoxins

Bacterial toxins, found in the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria. They are released when the cell disintegrates.

Bacterial Meningitis (Positive or negative)

Gram-Negative

What are we doing to help bacteria become resistant to antibiotics?

Not taking medicines to completion-- chance to mutate
Feeding antibiotics to farm animals to increase growth-- chance to mutate

Mutation

DNA mutates, creating a change in the gene product (Form of resistance to antibiotics)

Conjugation

Plasmid carrying resistance is transferred from one cell to another using a pilus bridge (Form of sharing resistance)

Transformation

DNA is transferred as "naked" DNA-- The cell dies, cell wall deteriorates, and living bacteria take DNA (Form of sharing resistance)

Transduction

Bacteria is transferred through viruses that effect bacteria (bacteria-phages)

Frequency

How often the waves occur. Effects pitch (more waves, higher pitch)

Amplitude

How large waves are (how much air they displace, larger waves=louder sound)

Sound

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

Pinna

Helps to collect sound waves and rather poorly directs them to the external auditory canal.

Auditory Canal

Sound waves are funneled through the tube and are amplified in the process. It has a natural acidity that protects against infection. Ear wax is produced to keep the ear from drying out and to ward off insects.

Eustuchian Tube

Equalizes pressure inside and outside of the tympanic membrane and allows for the drainage of normal and diseased middle ear secretions

Tympanic Membrane

Sound waves hit it and cause it to vibrate, transferring the sound wave into vibrations.

Cochlea

Transfers stimulus from the outside environment into nerve impulses for the brain

Cochlear Nerve

Part of the auditory nerve. Controls hearing

Oval Window

Connects middle ear with the upper half of the cochlea. Transfers vibrations.

Vestibular Nerve

Part of the auditory nerve. Controls balance

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

Conductive Hearing Loss

Hearing loss or impairment resulting from interference with the transmission of sound waves to the cochlea.
Signified with <>
Better when vibrated through bones

Audiogram

A graphic representation of the relation of vibration frequency and the minimum sound intensity for hearing
Normal at very top

Pure Tone Test

Audiometer measures hearing. Sounds are played at distinct frequencies. The patient raises a finger/pushes a button/etc. each time they hear a sound.

Threshold

Lowest level of each frequency patient is able to hear

Audiologist

health care professional who specializes in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of hearing, balance, and ear problems

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.

Hearing Aid

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

Who developed vaccines

Edward Jenner (Small Pox with Cow Pox)

Live-attenuated Vaccines

Live pathogen, but weakened. May cause minor illness in rare cases.

Inactivated Vaccines

Pathogen has been completely killed. Frequently requires boosters.

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

Vectors

Vehicles for DNA to move

Epidemiologist

a public health professional who studies the causes and spread of disease and injury to improve public health: