PLTW Biomedical Innovation Glossary

Flashcards for vocabulary terms from PLTW Biomedical Innovation course glossary.

Abstract

A written summary of key points, especially of a scientific paper.

Alternative Hypothesis

What the experimenter thinks may be true or wishes to be true before he or she begins an experiment; also called the research hypothesis.

Apprenticeship

A paid position working under an expert to learn a specific trade or skill.

Autopsy

An examination of the body after death to determine the cause of death or the character and extent of changes produced by disease.

Case-Control Study

An epidemiologic study comparing individuals with a disease (cases) to individuals without the disease (controls).

Causal Relationship

A relationship where one factor causes another, testable with controlled experiments.

Clone

A group of replicas of all or part of a macromolecule and especially DNA.

Cohort Study

An epidemiologic study following exposed and non-exposed individuals over time to determine the incidence of disease.

Coliform

Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria normally present in the intestine, including E. coli.

Constraint

A limit to a design process, such as funding, space, or materials.

Correlation

The degree of relationship between two variables.

Criteria

Principles or standards by which something may be judged or decided.

Cross-Sectional Study

A research study involving a single observation to determine how variables affect each other at the same time.

Design

An iterative decision-making process that produces plans to meet human needs and wants or solve problems.

Design Process

A systematic problem-solving strategy with criteria and constraints to develop solutions.

Diener

A laboratory helper, especially in a medical school.

DNA Ligase

A linking enzyme essential for DNA replication and recombinant DNA techniques.

Dose-Response Curve

Graph of physiological response to varied dosage, showing effect at different levels.

Environmental Health

Science addressing external physical, chemical, and biological factors impacting behavior and health.

Epidemiology

A branch of medical science dealing with the incidence, distribution, and control of disease in a population.

Experimental Study

A study where all variable measurements and manipulations are under research control.

Gantt Chart

A chart that depicts progress in relation to time, often used in planning and tracking a project.

Grant

Financial assistance to carry out an approved project or activity.

Incidence

The number of new cases of a disease during a specified period in a population at risk.

Innovation

Something newly introduced, such as a new method or device.

Internship

An opportunity to work for an organization to gain skills and learn about the industry.

Iterative

A process that repeats a series of steps over and over until the desired outcome is obtained.

Job Shadowing

An opportunity to follow a professional to learn about their daily tasks and responsibilities.

Ligation

The process of joining together chemical chains (as of DNA or protein).

Medical Examiner

A physician who performs an autopsy when a death might have been caused accidentally or intentionally.

Metacognition

The mental process that learners use to understand and monitor their learning.

Null Hypothesis

The starting point in scientific research where there is no effect of the treatment or relationship between variables.

Observational Study

A study in which individuals are observed or certain outcomes are measured without intervention.

P Value

The probability of results of the experiment being attributed to chance.

Paired t-test

A test to determine the statistical difference between two groups' means where participants are the same or matched pairs.

Plasmid

A small ring of DNA that carries accessory genes separate from those of the bacterial chromosome.

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.

Prosector

A person who makes dissections for anatomic demonstrations.

Prospective Cohort Study

A research study that follows groups differing by a characteristic and compares them for a particular outcome.

Prototype

A full-scale working model used to test a design concept.

Recombinant DNA

A DNA molecule made in vitro with segments from different sources.

Recruiters

Liaisons for an organization to find and encourage people to join.

Restriction Enzyme

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

Resume

A compiled list that provides a snapshot of your education and work experience.

Retrospective Cohort Study

A study comparing medical records of groups differing by a characteristic for a particular outcome; also called a historic cohort study.

Stakeholders

Individuals or groups affected by the outcome of a project.

Statistically Significant

A mathematical measure of difference between groups greater than what might be expected by chance.

Student t-test

A statistical test to determine differences between two independent groups' means on the same variable.

Threshold

The point at which a physiological or psychological effect begins to be produced.

Toxicant

A poisonous substance.

Toxicology

Science that deals with poisons and their effect.

Triage

The sorting of patients according to the urgency of their need for care.

Vector

An agent that carries modified genetic material to introduce genes into an organism.