Biology Concepts: Blood Doping, Probiotics, and the Scientific Method

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on blood doping, probiotics, the microbiome, and the scientific method.

Blood Doping

The practice of increasing an athlete's red blood cell concentration by drawing and storing blood and reinfusing it before competition to boost oxygen delivery; illegal.

Red Blood Cells (RBCs)

Cells that carry oxygen; a higher concentration can enhance oxygen transport to tissues.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Treatment in a pressurized chamber that increases oxygen levels in the blood; evidence for cancer treatment is not conclusive.

Probiotics

Live bacteria ingested to help restore or maintain gut microbial balance; benefits vary and require study.

Microbiome

The trillions of microbes living in and on the human body; most are not human cells.

Gut Microbiota Balance

The overall balance of microbial populations in the gut; can be disrupted by illness or injury.

Freeze-Dried Bacteria

Bacteria preserved by lyophilization that become active in the gut when ingested as probiotics.

Scientific Method

Systematic process: observation, question, testable hypothesis, experimentation, and conclusion.

Observation

Noticing and describing phenomena that lead to further inquiry.

Question

A inquiry derived from observations that guides investigation.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction about a relationship between variables; is falsifiable.

Null Hypothesis

A statement that there is no difference or effect between groups (A and B are the same).

Testable Statement

A propositions that can be empirically tested to support or refute a hypothesis.

Falsifiability

The quality of a hypothesis being testable in a way that could prove it false.

Peer Review

Evaluation of research by experts before and/or after publication to ensure quality and validity.

Publication

Dissemination of research results to the scientific community after validation.