MI Quiz 1.4, 2.1, 2.2

case-control study

epidemiologic study where those with disease (case) are compared to those without disease (control)

cohort study

epidemiological study where exposed individuals and non-exposed individuals are followed over time to determine incidence of disease

DNA ligase

A linking enzyme essential for DNA replication and recombinant DNA techniques

epidemic

a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.

epidemiology

the branch of medicine that deals with the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other factors relating to health.

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 in the cytoplasm that carries accessory genes separate from those of the bacterial chromosome

recombinant DNA

DNA produced by combining DNA from different sources

restriction enzyme

degradative enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific sequence of nucleotides

vaccination

An procedure that produces a mild form of a disease in order to help build up an immunity to it.

vaccine

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

Why do different generations have different diseases?

vaccine and medical advancements over time

Live attenuated vaccines

Live pathogen, but weakened. Injected to trigger immune response

Messenger RNA vaccines

Make proteins to trigger an immune response without injecting viral material (COVID-Moderna, Pfizer)

polysaccharide vaccines

target bacteria encased in sugar

conjugate vaccines

sugar sticks to protein for better response

recombinant vaccines

use another organism to make vaccine antigen

inactivated vaccines

Made up of dead virus particles, it cannot reproduce, but still provokes a response by the immune system.

toxoid vaccines

uses the toxin (part of germ) that causes disease to build immunity rather than the whole germ

Viral vector vaccines

use vectors (harmless version of a virus) to expose immune system to antigens in a virus to build immunity

epidemiologist

a specialist in the study of outbreaks of disease within a population group

amniocentesis

prenatal test involving a needle to remove a small amount of the amniotic fluid surrounding the developing fetus to check for abnormalities for mothers over age 35

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

sampling of placental tissues for prenatal diagnosis of potential genetic defects

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 in 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

All the genetic information in an organism; all of an organism's chromosomes.

genotype

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

An organism's physical appearance, or visible traits.

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

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

single gene disorders

genetic disorders caused by a single recessive gene or mutation (ex: Cystic Fibrosis and Huntington's Disease)

multifactoral disorders

A disease that results from not just inherited factors but environmental factors as well. (ex: Alzheimer's)

chromosomal disorders

missing or abnormal number of chromosomes (Down Syndrome and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy)

mitochondrial disorders

caused by mutations in non-chromosomal DNA which is passed from mother to child (ex: Leber hereditary optic neuropathy)

single gene disorders

Cystic Fibrosis and Huntington’s Disease are examples of what type of disorders?

multifactoral disorders

Alzheimer’s is an example of what type of disorder?

chromosomal disorders

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Down Syndrome are examples of what type of disorders?

mitochondrial disorders

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy is an example of what type of disorder?

Gene therapy

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

gene enhancement

Genetic engineering designed to improve on the normal genetic constitution of an individual.

In Vitro Fertilization

The most common assisted reproduction procedure, in which a woman's eggs are mixed with sperm in culture dishes and then carefully inserted into a woman's 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

reproductive cloning

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

therapeutic cloning

The production of embryonic stem cells for use in replacing or repairing damaged tissues or organs