PLTW Biomedical Science Principles of Biomedical Science Semester 1 - Course Glossary

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key vocabulary terms and definitions from the first semester of PLTW Biomedical Science.

ABO system

A system of four types (A, AB, B, and O) into which human blood is classified based on the presence or absence of certain antigens.

adenine

A component of nucleic acids found in DNA and RNA and in the energy carrying molecule ATP; it is a purine base.

adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP)

A compound composed of adenosine and three phosphate groups that supplies energy for many biochemical cellular processes.

agglutination

The clumping of particles.

algor mortis

The change in body temperature after death.

anemia

A condition in which blood is deficient in red blood cells or in functional red blood cells, leading to reduced oxygen levels in the body.

antibody

A protein produced by B cells in the blood that works to impair pathogens; also known as an immunoglobulin.

antigen

Anything that stimulates an immune response.

aorta

The largest artery in the body, responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body.

aortic valve

One of four valves in the heart, it separates the left ventricle and the aorta and prevents blood from flowing back into the left ventricle.

artery

A type of vessel that carries blood from the heart through the body.

atherosclerosis

The deposition of fats and/or cholesterol on artery walls, negatively impacting blood flow.

atrium

An upper chamber of the heart where blood enters; the heart has two atria.

autopsy

A postmortem evaluation to determine the cause of death.

biomedical science

A professional field combining biology and medicine with a focus on healthcare.

biomolecule

A large molecule, or macromolecule, produced by living organisms.

blood plasma

The pale yellow liquid portion of blood that consists of water and dissolved substances.

blood pressure

The pressure blood exerts upon the walls of blood vessels, especially arteries.

carbohydrate

A compound found in foods and living tissues that can be broken down and used for energy.

cardiology

The field of study focused on the function and diseases of the heart.

cardiovascular system

The transport system of the body responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrients and removing carbon dioxide and other wastes.

cell

The smallest unit of life.

chemical bond

An attractive force that holds together atoms, ions, or groups of atoms.

chemical indicator

A substance that changes color depending on the properties of the solution being tested.

chemical reaction

A process where atoms and/or molecules are rearranged to transform matter.

cholesterol

A lipid that is essential for animal cell membranes and is a precursor for other biologically important steroids.

chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)

A progressive degeneration of nerve cells caused by repeated head injuries.

concussion

An injury to the head causing the brain to move quickly back and forth.

control group

The group in an experiment where the independent variable is not applied; serves as a standard for comparison.

coronary artery disease

The narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, usually caused by atherosclerosis.

coronary bypass

A surgical procedure to reroute blood around an obstruction in a coronary artery.

covalent bond

A chemical bond in which atoms share electron pairs.

cytosine

A component of nucleic acids; a pyrimidine base.

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

A type of nucleic acid consisting of nucleotide monomers; functions in protein synthesis and as the genome of some viruses.

dependent variable

In an experiment, the variable being measured and affected by changes in another variable.

diagnosis

The process of determining the disease that explains a person’s symptoms.

diastole

The stage in a heartbeat when the heart is relaxed and the heart chambers fill with blood.

diastolic pressure

The pressure in arteries between heartbeats.

digestive system

An organ system that breaks down food to extract energy and nutrients.

disaccharide

A sugar that forms when two monosaccharides join in a dehydration reaction.

disease

A disorder of structure or function in an organism that results in specific signs or symptoms.

electrocardiogram (EKG)

A measurement of the electrical activity of the heart.

electrophoresis

The separation of charged biological molecules by electrical current in a gel matrix.

erythrocyte (red blood cell)

Hemoglobin-rich cells that transport oxygen through the body.

eukaryotic

Organisms that have membrane-bound organelles.

experiment

A research study conducted to understand an observed phenomenon.

experimental design

A process used to carefully plan experiments.

forensic chemistry

A field of chemistry that tests non-biological samples to identify or quantify them.

forensic science

The application of scientific knowledge to resolve questions of law.

gel electrophoresis

The separation of nucleic acids or proteins based on size and electrical charge.

glucagon

A hormone that raises blood glucose levels.

glucose

A monosaccharide with the formula C6H12O6.

glucose tolerance test

A test of the body’s ability to metabolize glucose.

guanine

A component of nucleic acids; a purine base.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

U.S. national standards that protect individual privacy rights related to personal medical information.

heart attack

An acute episode of heart disease leading to damage of heart muscle due to insufficient blood supply.

heart disease

An abnormal condition of the heart or circulation.

heart rate

A measure of cardiac activity usually expressed in beats per minute.

helix

A three-dimensional spiral.

hematocrit

The proportion of blood that is made up of red blood cells.

hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen.

hemoglobin A1c

A blood test that measures a patient’s average blood sugar level over months.

high-density lipoprotein (HDL)

The ‘good’ cholesterol that helps remove less beneficial forms of cholesterol.

histology

The study of the microscopic anatomy of tissues; also known as microanatomy.

homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal physiological conditions.

hormone

A signaling molecule produced by glands that induces specific effects on cells.

hydrolysis

A chemical reaction that uses water to split bonds between molecules.

hydrophilic

Having an affinity for water and tending to dissolve in or mix with it.

hydrophobic

Having an aversion to water, forming droplets in it.

hyperglycemia

An excess of sugar in the blood.

hypertension

An abnormally high blood pressure.

hypoglycemia

An abnormal decrease of sugar in the blood.

hypothesis

A statement predicting the anticipated results of an experiment.

independent variable

The variable that the researcher changes to determine its influence.

inferior vena cava

The largest vein that returns blood to the right atrium from body parts below the diaphragm.

insulin

A protein hormone essential for regulating glucose levels in the blood.

ionic bond

A bond between atoms that results from the attraction between oppositely charged ions.

leukocyte (white blood cell)

Cells that lack hemoglobin but are active in the immune response.

lipid

A family of compounds including fats, phospholipids, and steroids.

livor mortis

Pooling of blood after death causing a purplish red discoloration of the skin.

low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

The ‘bad’ cholesterol that can build up in arteries.

macromolecule

A large molecule formed by joining smaller molecules together.

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A medical imaging technique using magnetic fields and radio waves.

malignant

A cancerous tumor that will grow and spread to other tissues.

measurable

Able to be measured; provides a precise indicator of a quantifiable characteristic.

medical examiner

A physician who performs autopsies to determine cause of death.

medical history

A record of a patient’s past and current health information.

metabolic syndrome

A group of concurrent diseases that can result in heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 Diabetes.

metabolism

The chemical processes of breaking down molecules for energy.

metastasis

The spread of cancerous cells to other tissues.

microbiology

The study of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and prions.

mitral valve

A valve guarding the opening between the left atrium and left ventricle.

model

An accurate representation of an object or phenomenon.

molecule

A group of atoms held together by chemical bonds.

monomer

The building blocks of polymers.

monosaccharide

The simplest type of sugar that cannot be broken down further.

morgue

A place where bodies are kept temporarily.

negative control

The group in an experiment that produces a negative outcome.

negative feedback

A mechanism of homeostasis that reduces another variable due to changes in a physiological variable.

nervous system

The body system made up of the brain and spinal cord that interprets stimuli.