Forensic Science, Anatomy, and Molecular Biology Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering introductory forensic science, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and DNA molecular structure and replication.

Forensic Science

The use of science to investigate crimes and study evidence.

Histology

The study of tissues and their cells using a microscope.

Evidence

Anything that can help investigators learn what happened.

Physical Evidence

An object or material that may provide information about a crime.

Trace Evidence

Small pieces of material that can be transferred between people, objects, or places.

Biological Evidence

Evidence that comes from a living thing, such as blood, hair, saliva, or skin cells.

Blood Spatter

A pattern made when blood lands on a surface.

Tissue

A group of similar cells that work together to perform a job in the body.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that covers the outside of the body and lines many organs and body spaces.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that supports, connects, or protects other parts of the body.

Histological Section

A very thin slice of tissue made so it can be studied with a microscope.

Microscopy

The use of a microscope to study objects that are too small to see with your eyes.

Autopsy

A medical examination of a body after death to help find the cause of death.

Toxicology

The study of drugs, poisons, and other chemicals and how they affect the body.

Pathology

The study of diseases and the changes they cause in cells, tissues, and organs.

Cause of Death

The disease, injury, or condition that caused a person to die.

Fingerprint

The pattern of lines and ridges on a person's finger that can help identify them.

Chain of Custody

A record that shows who collected, handled, stored, or moved evidence.

Platelets

Small cell fragments in the blood that help form blood clots and stop bleeding.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and transport some carbon dioxide back to the lungs.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that help protect the body from infections and foreign substances.

Thrombocytes

Another name for platelets; they help the blood clot and prevent excessive bleeding.

Lymph nodes

Small, bean-shaped structures that filter lymph and contain immune cells that help fight infection.

Lymphatic system

A network of vessels, organs, and tissues that helps remove excess fluid and supports the immune system.

Luminol

A chemical that can produce a blue glow when it reacts with substances associated with blood; used in forensic investigations.

Hemoglobin

An iron-containing protein in red blood cells that binds to and carries oxygen.

Antigens

Substances that the immune system recognizes as foreign and that can trigger an immune response.

Antibodies

Proteins made by certain white blood cells that recognize and help neutralize specific antigens.

Atrium

One of the two upper chambers of the heart that receives blood entering the heart.

Ventricle

One of the two lower chambers of the heart that pumps blood out of the heart.

Pulmonary circulation

The movement of blood from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart for gas exchange.

Valve

A structure that opens and closes to keep blood flowing in the correct direction.

Aorta

The largest artery in the body; it carries oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle to the body.

Artery (Arteries)

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Vein (Veins)

Blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart.

Capillary

A tiny blood vessel where oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and wastes are exchanged between blood and tissues.

Pharynx

The throat; a passageway that carries air toward the respiratory system and food toward the digestive system.

Trachea

The windpipe; a tube that carries air from the larynx toward the bronchi and lungs.

Larynx

The voice box; an organ in the throat that contains the vocal cords and connects the pharynx to the trachea.

Pulmonary vein

A blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart.

Pulmonary arteries

Blood vessels that carry oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

Bronchiole

One of the small air passages that branch from the bronchi and lead toward the alveoli.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide leaves the blood.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; the molecule that stores the genetic information used to build and maintain an organism, differing for almost every person.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid; a nucleic acid that helps carry and use genetic information to make proteins.

Nitrogenous Base

A nitrogen-containing molecule that is part of a nucleotide. DNA contains adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.

Proteins

Large molecules made of amino acids that perform many important functions in cells, including building structures and carrying out chemical reactions.

Nucleotides

The building blocks of DNA and RNA. A nucleotide contains a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.

Nucleic Acids

Large molecules, including DNA and RNA, that store and transmit genetic information.

Double Helix

The twisted, ladder-like shape of a DNA molecule.

Purines

Nitrogenous bases with a two-ring structure. In DNA, the purines are adenine (A) and guanine (G).

Pyrimidines

Nitrogenous bases with a one-ring structure. In DNA, they are cytosine (C) and thymine (T). In RNA, thymine is replaced by uracil (U).

Chargaff's Rule

The rule stating that in DNA, adenine pairs with thymine and guanine pairs with cytosine. Therefore, the amounts of A and T are equal, and the amounts of G and C are equal.

Watson and Crick

Scientists James Watson and Francis Crick who developed the widely recognized model of DNA's double-helix structure.

Rosalind Franklin

Scientist whose X-ray diffraction research provided important evidence about the structure of DNA, including its helical shape.

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme that builds a new strand of DNA by adding complementary nucleotides during DNA replication.

DNA Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds and separates the two strands of DNA during DNA replication.

RNA Primer

A short strand of RNA that provides a starting point for DNA polymerase during DNA replication.

Transcription

The process of using DNA as a template to make an RNA molecule, usually mRNA.

Complementary strands or bases

Bases that always form pairs, for example A-T (and opposite strands with their paired bases).

Hydrogen Bonds

Weak bonds that hold the two complementary strands together. A to T have $2$ hydrogen bonds and C to G have $3$.

Covalent bonds in DNA

Strong bonds that link the sugar and phosphate groups of adjacent nucleotides.

Template Strand

The DNA strand used as a pattern for making a complementary DNA or RNA strand.