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