HOSA Biomed Lab Science (but for BT)

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Antibodies

proteins developed by the immune system that recognize specific molecules (antigens)

Applied science

the practice of utilizing scientific knowledge for practical purposes, including the manufacture of a product

Bioethics

the study of decision-making as it applies to moral decisions that have to be made because of advances in biology, medicine, and technology

Biotechnology

the study and manipulation of living things or their component molecules, cells, tissues, or organs

CDC

abbreviation for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; national research center for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities to improve public health

Control

experimental trial added to an experiment to ensure that the experiment was run properly; see positive control and negative control

Cystic fibrosis (CF)

genetic disorder that clogs the respiratory and digestive systems with mucus

DNA ligase

an enzyme that binds together disconnected strands of a DNA molecule

E. coli

a rod-shaped bacterium native to the intestines of mammals; commonly used in genetics and biotechnology

EPA

abbreviation for the Environmental Protection Agency; the federal agency that enforces environmental laws including the use and production of microorganisms, herbicides, pesticides, and genetically modified microorganisms

FDA

abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration; the federal agency that regulates the use and production of food, feed, food additives, veterinary drugs, human drugs, and medical devices

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

organisms that contain DNA from another organism and produce new proteins encoded on the acquired DNA

Hypothesis

an educated guess to answer a scientific question; should be testable

Molecular biology

the study of molecules that are found in cells

Moral

a conviction or justifiable position, having to do with whether something is considered right or wrong

Negative control

a group of data lacking what is being tested so as to give expected negative results

NIH

abbreviation for National Institutes of Health; the federal agency that funds and conducts biomedical research

Pharmaceutical

relating to drugs developed for medical use

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

a technique that involves copying short pieces of DNA and then making millions of copies in a short time

Positive control

a group of data that will give predictable positive results

Proteases

proteins whose function is to break down other proteins

Pure science

scientific research whose main purpose is to enrich the scientific knowledge base

Reagent

chemical used in an experiment

Recombinant DNA (rDNA)

DNA created by combining DNA from two or more sources

Recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology

cutting and recombining DNA molecules

Research and development (R&D)

refers to the early stages in product development that include discovery of the structure and function of a potential product and initial small-scale production

Therapeutic

an agent that is used to treat diseases or disorders

t-PA

short for tissue plasminogen activator; one of the first genetically engineered products to be sold; a naturally occurring enzyme that breaks down blood clots and clears blocked blood vessels

USDA

abbreviation for United States Department of Agriculture; the federal agency that regulates the use and production of plants, plant products, plant pests, veterinary supplies and medications, and genetically modified plants and animals

Variable

anything that can vary in an experiment; the independent variable is tested in an experiment to see its effect on dependent variables

Antibiotics

Molecular agents derived from fungi and/or bacteria that impede the growth and survival of some other microorganisms

Biochemistry

The study of chemical reactions occurring in living things

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Nation research center to improve public health

Clinical trials

A strict series of tests that evaluates the effectiveness and safety of a medical treatment

Cloning

Method of asexual reproduction that produces identical organisms

Concentration

The amount of a substance as a proportion of another substance

Cystic Fibrosis

Genetic disorder that clogs the respiratory and digestive system with mucus

Data

Information gathered by documentation

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

A double stranded helical molecule that stores genetic information for the production of proteins

Diabetes

A disorder affecting the uptake of sugar by cells due to inadequate insulin production or ineffective use of insulin

E.coli

A rod-shaped bacterium native to the intestines of mammals; commonly used in genetics researched and by biotechnology companies for the development of products

Efficacy

The ability to yield a desired result or demonstrate that a product does what it claims to do

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The federal agency that enforces environmental laws

Ethics

The study of moral standards and how they affect conduct

Fermentation

A process by which, in an oxygen deprived environment, a cell converts sugar into lactic acid or ethanol

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The federal agency that regulates the use and production of food, feed, food additives, veterinary drugs, human drugs, and medical devices

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

An organism produced by genetic engineering that contains DNA from another organism and produces new proteins encoded on the acquire DNA

Genetics

The study of genes and how they are inherited and expressed

Genome

One entire set if an organism's genetic material

Microbial agents

Synonym for microorganisms; living things too small to be seen without he aid of a microscope, includes bacteria, most algae, and many fungi

Human Genome Project

A collaborative international effort to sequence and map all the DNA on the 23 human chromosomes; completed in 2000

Insulin

A protein that facilitates the uptake of sugar into cells from blood

Journals

Scientific periodicals or magazines in which scientists publish their experimental work, findings, or conclusions

Large-scale production

the manufacturing of large volumes of a product

Fluorometer

An instrument that measures the amount or type of light emitted.

Organism

A living thing.

Multicellular

Composed of more than one cell.

Cytology

Cell biology.

Anatomy

The structure and organization of living things.

Physiology

The processes and functions of living things.

Respiration

The breaking down of food molecules with the result of generating energy for the cell.

Unicellular

Composed of one cell.

Tissue

A group of cells that function together.

Organ

Tissues that act together to form a specific function in an organism.

Proteins

One of the four classes of macromolecules; folded, functional polypeptides that conduct various functions within and around a cell.

Eukaryote

A cell that contains membrane-bound organelles.

Protist

An organism belonging to the Kingdom Protista, which includes protozoans, slime molds, and certain algae.

Organelles

Specialized microscopic factories, each with specific jobs in the cell.

Mitochondria

The membrane-bound organelles that are responsible for generating cellular energy.

Sugar

A simple carbohydrate molecule composed of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen.

Starch

A polysaccharide that is composed of many glucose molecules.

Nucleic acids

A class of macromolecules that directs the synthesis of all other cellular molecules; often referred to as "information-carrying molecules."

Lipids

One of the four macromolecules; includes fats, waxes, steroids, and oils.

Pancreas

An organ that secretes digestive fluids, as well as insulin.

Hormone

A molecule that acts to regulate cellular functions.

Chlorophyll

The green-pigmented molecules found in plant cells; used for photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis

A process by which plants or algae use light energy to make chemical energy.

Chloroplast

The specialized organelles in plants responsible for photosynthesis.

Cytoplasm

A gel-like fluid of thousands of molecules suspended in water, outside the nucleus.

Lysosome

A membrane-bound organelle that is responsible for the breakdown of cellular waste.

Ribosome

The organelle in a cell where proteins are made.

Cell wall

A specialized organelle surrounding the cells of plants, bacteria, and some fungi; gives support around the outer boundary of the cell.

Cellulose

A structural polysaccharide that is found in plant cell walls.

Plasma membrane

A specialized organelle of the cell that regulates the movement of materials into and out of the cell.

Glucose

A 6-carbon sugar that is produced during photosynthetic reactions; usual form of carbohydrate used by animals, including humans.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

A nucleotide that serves as an energy storing molecule.

Chromosomes

The long strands of DNA intertwined with protein molecules.

Enzyme

A protein that functions to speed up chemical reactions.

Pigments

The molecules that are colored due to the reflection of light of specific wavelengths.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

A class of RNA molecules responsible for transferring genetic information from the chromosomes to ribosomes where proteins are made.

Amino acids

The subunits of proteins; each contains a central carbon atom attached to an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a distinctive "R" group.

Polypeptide

A strand of amino acids connected to each other through peptide bonds.

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells

An animal cell line commonly used in biotechnology studies.

Vero cells

African green monkey kidney epithelial cells.

HeLa cells

Human epithelial cells.

Prokaryote

A cell that lacks membrane-bound organelles.

Aerobic respiration

Utilizing oxygen to release the energy from sugar molecules.

Anaerobic respiration

Releasing the energy from sugar molecules in the absence of oxygen.

Macromolecule

A large molecule usually composed of smaller repeating units chained together.

Organic

Molecules that contain carbon and are only produced in living things.