Vocab Quiz

Apoptosis

Apoptosis

The changes that occur within a cell as it undergoes programmed cell death, which is brought about by signals that trigger the activation of a cascade of suicide proteins in the cell destined to die.

Biopsy

The removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body.

Bone Scan

A test that detects areas of increased or decreased bone metabolism; a test is performed to identify abnormal processes involving the bone such as tumors, infection, or fractures.

Cancer

A malignant tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally and systemically.

Cell Cycle

An ordered sequence of events in the life of a eukaryotic cell, from its origin in the division of a parent cell until its own division into two.

Computed Tomography Scan (CT or CAT Scan)

A sectional 3-dimensional view of the body constructed by computed tomography.

Diagnostic Imaging

Technologies that doctors use to look inside your body for clues about a medical condition; includes X-rays, CT scans, nuclear medicine scans, MRI scans and ultrasound.

DNA Microarray

A microarray of immobilized single-stranded DNA fragments of known nucleotide sequence that is used especially in the identification and sequencing of DNA samples and in the analysis of gene expression (as in a cell or tissue).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A noninvasive diagnostic technique that produces computerized images of internal body tissues and is based on nuclear magnetic resonance of atoms within the body induced by the application of radio waves.

Oncogene

A gene having the potential to cause a normal cell to become cancerous.

Osteosarcoma

A cancer derived from bone or containing bone tissue.

Proto-oncogene

A normal cellular gene corresponding to an oncogene; a gene with a potential to cause cancer but that requires some alteration to become an oncogene.

Radiology

A branch of medicine concerned with the use of radiant energy (as X-rays or ultrasound) in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Risk Factor

Something which increases risk or susceptibility.

Tumor Suppressor Gene

A gene whose protein products inhibit cell division, thereby preventing uncontrolled cell growth (cancer).

X-ray

To examine, treat, or photograph with X-rays.

Cloning

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

Gene therapy

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

In Vitro Fertilization

A procedure in which gametes are fertilized in a dish in the laboratory, and the resulting zygote is implanted in the uterus for development

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

In assisted reproductive technology, the determination of genetic abnormalities in the embryo before it is transferred to the 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

Amniocentesis

A technique for determining genetic abnormalities in a fetus by the presence of certain chemicals or defective fetal cells in the amniotic fluid, obtained by aspiration from a needle inserted into the uterus

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 (CVS)

A technique for diagnosing genetic and congenital defects in a fetus by removing and analyzing a sample of the fetal portion of the placenta

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 of 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

The complement of an organism’s genes; an organisms genetic material

Genotype

The 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

The physical and physiological traits of an organism

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

A technique that involves copying short pieces of DNA and then making millions of copies in a short period

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

Restriction enzyme

A degradative enzyme that recognizes specific nucleotide sequences and cuts up DNA.

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