PH 370 Exam 3 Study Outline

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

A retrovirus that stores its genetic information as RNA and is responsible for the disease AIDS.

Reverse transcriptase

An enzyme used by HIV to convert its RNA into DNA after entering a host cell.

Integrase

An enzyme that facilitates the integration of viral DNA into the host's genome.

Protease

An enzyme that helps in the formation of new HIV particles.

CD4+ cells

A type of T cell that HIV binds to in order to infect the host.

Viremia

The presence of viruses in the bloodstream, observed during the acute infection phase of HIV.

Opportunistic infections

Infections that occur more frequently and are more severe in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with AIDS.

Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART)

A treatment regimen that uses multiple medications to suppress viral replication in HIV patients.

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)

A preventive medication taken by HIV-negative individuals at high risk of infection to lower their chances of getting HIV.

Undetectable = Untransmissible (U=U)

The concept that individuals with HIV who have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus to others.

Malaria vector

The female Anopheles mosquito, responsible for transmitting the malaria parasite to humans.

Plasmodium

A genus of parasitic protozoans that cause malaria in humans.

Hypoxemia

A condition characterized by low levels of oxygen in the blood.

Epinephrine

A hormone produced by the adrenal medulla that increases heart rate and blood pressure.

Atherosclerosis

A condition characterized by the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup.

Angina pectoris

Chest pain or discomfort due to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.

Asthma

A chronic lung condition characterized by narrowed airways and difficulty breathing.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels.

Type 1 diabetes

An autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.

Type 2 diabetes

A condition characterized by insulin resistance and inadequate insulin production.

CVD (Cardiovascular Disease)

A class of diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels, leading to serious health issues.

Fibrillation

A heart rhythm disorder in which the heart beats in a sporadic, quivering pattern.

Endocrine system

A network of glands that produce and release hormones to regulate various bodily functions.

Hormones

Chemical messengers produced by glands that travel through the bloodstream to target organs.

Pituitary gland

Known as the 'master gland,' it regulates other endocrine glands and controls growth, metabolism, and reproductive processes.

Thyroid gland

A butterfly-shaped gland in the neck responsible for regulating metabolism and energy levels through thyroid hormones.

Adrenal glands

Glands situated on top of the kidneys that produce hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, helping the body respond to stress.

Pancreas

An organ that functions both as an endocrine gland (producing insulin and glucagon) and an exocrine gland (producing digestive enzymes).

Testes

The male reproductive glands that produce sperm and hormones such as testosterone.

Ovaries

The female reproductive glands that produce eggs and hormones, including estrogen and progesterone.

Feedback loops

Processes in which the output of a system regulates its own production, common in hormone regulation.

Endocrine disorders

Conditions that result from abnormal hormone levels, such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, and adrenal insufficiency.