quiz 10

Consensus Science

Well-established scientific knowledge widely accepted by experts.

Frontier Science

New, untested ideas not yet widely accepted.

Public Perception

How the public views scientific reliability and stability.

Media Focus

Media highlights new discoveries over established knowledge.

Regulatory Bodies

Organizations that use consensus science for public safety.

Scientific Method

Systematic approach to discovering natural order and predictability.

Observing Patterns

Collecting data to identify consistent natural behaviors.

Scientific Laws

Descriptive statements about consistent natural phenomena.

Law of Conservation of Matter

Matter cannot be created or destroyed in reactions.

Hypothesis

Tentative explanation proposed to answer scientific questions.

Testing Hypotheses

Experiments validate or invalidate proposed explanations.

Scientific Theory

Well-substantiated explanation based on extensive testing.

Confidence in Hypothesis

Increases with repeated successful tests over time.

Pass or Fail

Outcomes of experiments testing scientific hypotheses.

Revision in Science

Science remains open to change based on new evidence.

Evidence in Science

Data supporting or refuting scientific claims.

Repeatability

Ability to replicate results in scientific experiments.

Tentative Explanation

A hypothesis that is subject to testing.

Misconceptions about Science

False beliefs due to media emphasis on frontier science.

Cutting-edge Ideas

Innovative concepts still undergoing validation in science.

Well-tested Explanation

A scientific theory supported by extensive experimental evidence.

Scientific Discovery Process

Data → Laws → Hypotheses → Experiments → Theories.

Unbreakable Laws

Scientific laws cannot be violated under specified conditions.

Scientific Theory

A well-substantiated explanation based on evidence.

Proof in Science

Science cannot guarantee absolute truth.

Hypothesis Disproof

You can disprove a hypothesis, not prove it.

Confidence in Theory

Increases with successful testing, remains revisable.

FDA

Regulates medical treatments for public safety.

FDA's Primary Function

Reviews data from drug developers, not conducts tests.

Drug Approval Process

FDA approves drugs based on sufficient testing.

Consensus Science

Established facts essential for public trust.

Frontier Science

Rapid advancements during urgent medical needs.

FDA Challenges

Pressure from companies and patients for quick access.

Preclinical Testing

Initial lab tests on safety and biological activity.

Clinical Trials

Phased testing on humans for safety and efficacy.

Phase 1 Trials

Focus on safety and dosage in healthy volunteers.

Phase 2 Trials

Evaluates efficacy and side effects in patients.

Phase 3 Trials

Confirms effectiveness with thousands of patients.

New Drug Application (NDA)

Submission for FDA review after successful trials.

Post-Market Surveillance

Ongoing monitoring of drug safety after approval.

Initial Testing

Begins with tissue samples for drug effects.

Animal Testing

Evaluates safety on animals like mice and rats.

Primate Testing

Tests on primates for genetic similarity to humans.

Informed Consent

Required from human volunteers in clinical trials.

Pregnant Women Exclusion

Excluded from trials due to high risks involved.

Thalidomide Lessons

Highlights importance of rigorous drug testing processes.

Thalidomide

Anti-nausea drug linked to birth defects.

Morning Sickness

Nausea experienced during pregnancy.

FDA Backlog

Delay in drug approval process in the U.S.

Limb Deformities

Severe physical malformations in newborns.

Fetal Cell Differentiation

Process where fetal cells develop into specific tissues.

Market Withdrawal

Removal of Thalidomide after safety concerns.

Rigorous Testing

Thorough evaluation of drugs under various conditions.

Precautionary Principle

Weighing risks against benefits in drug approval.

Informed Awareness

Understanding drug information and potential side effects.

Teratogenic Effects

Drug-induced malformations during fetal development.

Genetic Engineering

Modification of DNA in organisms for desired traits.

Inheritance Discovery

Traits passed from parents to offspring.

DNA

Molecule carrying genetic information in organisms.

Genes

Segments of DNA that encode proteins.

Molecular Scissors

Enzymes used to cut DNA at specific sites.

Insert the Gene

Placing a gene into another organism's DNA.

Bt Corn

Genetically modified corn resistant to insect pests.

Bacillus thuringiensis

Bacterium providing insect resistance in Bt corn.

Insect Protection

Corn's ability to resist damage from pests.

Reduced Pesticide Use

Lower reliance on chemical pesticides due to GM crops.

Targeted Action

Toxin affects only specific harmful insects.

Crop Resilience

Ability of crops to withstand environmental stress.

Advancements in Agriculture

Improvements in farming through genetic modifications.

Bt Corn

Genetically modified corn that targets specific pests.

Alkaline Gut Activation

Toxin activates only in insect alkaline guts.

Widespread Consumption

Over half of U.S. corn is Bt corn.

Long-term Effects

Unknown health impacts of consuming Bt corn.

Roundup Ready Crops

Crops engineered for glyphosate resistance.

Efficient Weeding

Allows selective weeding with minimal labor.

Glyphosate Breakdown

Glyphosate decomposes in about 10 days.

Rising Weed Resistance

Weeds developing resistance to glyphosate.

Environmental Impact

Concerns about glyphosate's effects on ecosystems.

Terminator Genes

Prevent seed saving, forcing annual purchases.

Impact on Small Farmers

Corporate control limits farmer autonomy.

Golden Rice

GM crop aimed at reducing malnutrition.

Science

Study of nature and its mechanisms.

Technology

Application of scientific knowledge for practical use.

Science-Technology Relationship

Science leads to technology; technology aids science.

Laser

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

Surgical Lasers

Minimize bleeding during medical procedures.

Aspirin Example

Technology preceded scientific understanding in pain relief.

Corporate Influence

Corporations control seed production and pricing.

Pesticide Reduction

Bt corn reduces overall pesticide usage.

Food Security

GM crops can enhance nutritional availability.

Ethical Concerns

GM crops raise issues of corporate ethics.

Experimental Guinea Pigs

Consumers are subjects in ongoing safety studies.

Patents

Legal protections for inventors' inventions.

U.S. Patent Office

Agency that grants patents after verifying novelty.

Royalties

Payments made to inventors for using their patents.

Living Organisms Patents

Patenting applies to genetically modified organisms.

Genetic Engineering

Manipulation of organisms' genetic material.

Terminator Genes

Genetic modifications preventing seed saving by farmers.

Corporate Control

Dominance of corporations over agricultural practices.

Small Farmers

Agricultural producers with limited resources.