Medical Interventions Unit 1 Vocab

Antibody

An antigen-binding immunoglobulin, produced by B cells, that functions as the effector in an immune response.

Antigen

A foreign macromolecule that does not belong to the host organism and elicits an immune response.

Bioinformatics

The collection, classification, storage, and analysis of biochemical and biological information using computers especially as applied in molecular genetics and genomics.

ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbant Assay)

A quantitative in vitro test for an antibody or antigen in which the test material is absorbed on a surface and exposed either to a complex of an enzyme linked to an antibody specific for the antigen or an enzyme linked to an anti-immunoglobulin specific for the antibody followed by reaction of the enzyme with a substrate to yield a colored product corresponding to the concentration of the test material.

Enzyme

A protein serving as a catalyst; a chemical agent that changes the rate of reaction without being consumed by the reaction

Genome

The complement of an organism's genes; an organism's genetic material.

Medical Intervention

Any measure whose purpose is to improve health or alter the course of disease.

Outbreak

A sudden rise in the incidence of a disease

Pathogen

A specific causative agent of disease

Primer

A molecule (a short strand of RNA or DNA) whose presence is required for formation of another molecule (a longer chain of DNA).

Serial dilution

A stepwise dilution of a substance in solution.

Solute

A substance dissolved in another substance.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances, which may be solids, liquids, gases, or a combination of these.

Solvent

A substance, usually a liquid, capable of dissolving another substance.

Substrate

The reactant on which an enzyme works.

Antibiotic

A substance produced by or derived from a microorganism and able in dilute solution to inhibit or kill another microorganism

Antibiotic Resistance

Resistance to one or more antibiotics, usually due to additional genetic information

Conjugation

The one-way transfer of DNA between bacteria in cellular contact

Nucleoid

The DNA-containing area of a bacterial cell

Plasmid

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

Transduction

The transfer of genetic material from one organism (such as a bacterium) to another by a genetic vector

Transformation

The genetic modification of a bacterium by incorporation of free DNA from another ruptured bacterial cell

Audiogram

A graphic representation of the relation of vibration frequency and the minimum sound intensity for hearing

Cochlear Implant

An electrical prosthetic device that enables individuals with sensorineural hearing loss to recognize some sounds and that consists of an external microphone and speech processor that receive and convert sound waves into electrical signals which are transmitted to one or more electrodes implanted in the cochlea where they stimulate the auditory nerve

Conductive Hearing Loss

Hearing loss or impairment resulting from interference with the transmission of sound waves to the cochlea

Hearing Aid

An electronic device usually worn by a person for amplifying sound before it reaches the receptor organs

Inner Ear

The essential part of the vertebrate organ of hearing and equilibrium that includes the vestibule, the semicircular canals, and the cochlea

Middle Ear

The intermediate portion of the ear containing a chain of three ossicles that extends from the tympanic membrane to the oval window and transmits vibrations to the inner ear

Outer Ear

The outer visible portion of the ear that collects and directs sound waves toward the tympanic membrane by way of a canal which extends inward through the temporal bone

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Hearing loss or impairment resulting from problems with the auditory nerves

Sound

Mechanical energy that is transmitted by longitudinal pressure waves in a medium (such as water or air)

Case-control study

A type of epidemiologic study where a group of individuals with the diseases, referred to as cases, are compared to individuals without the disease, referred to as controls

Cohort study

A type of epidemiologic study where a group of exposed individuals (individuals who have been exposed to the potential risk factor) and a group of non-exposed individuals are followed over time to determine the incidence of disease

DNA ligase

A linking enzyme essential for DNA replication and recombinant DNA techniques

Epidemic

Affecting an atypically large number of individuals within a population, community, or region at the same time

Epidemiology

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

Herd Immunity

The resistance of a group to an attack by a disease to which a large proportion of the members of the group are immune

Inoculation

The introduction of a pathogen or antigen into a living organism to stimulate the production of antibodies

Plasmid

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

Recombinant DNA

A DNA molecule made in vitro with segments from different sources

Restriction Enzyme

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

Vaccination

A procedure that presents the immune system with a harmless variant of a pathogen, thereby stimulating the immune system to mount a long-term defense against the pathogen

Vaccine

A harmless variant of a pathogen that stimulates a host's immune system to mount defenses against the pathogen