biomed

ABO system

A system of four types (A, AB, B, and O) which human blood is classified into, based on the presence or absence of certain antigens.

adenine

A component of nucleic acids found in DNA and RNA and in the energy carrying molecule, ATP. It is a purine base.

adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP)

A compound composed of adenosine and three phosphate groups that supplies energy for many biochemical cellular processes.

agglutination

The clumping of particles.

algor mortis

The change in body temperature after death.

anemia

A condition in which blood is deficient in red blood cells or in functional red blood cells; leads to reduced oxygen levels in the body.

antibody

A protein produced by B cells in the blood; works to impair pathogens. Also called an immunoglobulin.

antigen

Anything that stimulates an immune response.

aorta

The largest artery in the body, carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the rest of the body.

aortic valve

One of four valves in the heart, separates the left ventricle and the aorta, and functions to prevent blood from flowing back into the left ventricle.

artery

A type of vessel that carries blood from the heart through the body; part of the circulatory system.

atrioventricular node

Part of the heart’s conduction system that is responsible for controlling the impulse delivered by the sinoatrial node (SA)

atrium

An upper chamber of the heart where blood enters. The heart has two of these: the left one connects to the lungs and the right one connects to the veins.

autopsy

A postmortem evaluation to determine cause of death.

B lymphocyte (B cell)

A type of lymphocyte (white blood cell) that matures in bone marrow and produces antibodies.

biomedical science

A professional field combining biology and medicine with a focus on healthcare.

biomolecule (macromolecule)

A large molecule produced by living organisms. Examples include: nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.

blood plasma

The pale yellow, liquid portion of blood that consists of water and dissolved substances, including sugars, lipids, metabolic waste products, amino acids, hormones, and vitamins.

blood pressure

The pressure that blood exerts upon the walls of blood vessels, especially arteries, usually measured with a sphygmomanometer and expressed in millimeters of mercury.

carbohydrate

A compound, such as sugar, starch and cellulose, found in foods and living tissues that can be broken down and used for energy.

cardiology

The field of study focused on the function and diseases of the heart.

cardiovascular system

The transport system of the body responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrients to the body and carrying away carbon dioxide and other wastes; composed of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

cell

The smallest unit of life.

chemical bond

An attractive force that holds together the atoms, ions, or groups of atoms in a molecule or compound.

chemical indicator

A substance that changes color depending on the properties (such as pH) of the solution being tested.

chemical reaction

A process where atoms and/or molecules are rearranged to transform matter.

cholesterol

A lipid that is an essential component of animal cell membranes and acts as a precursor molecule for the synthesis of other biologically important steroids.

chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)

A progressive degeneration and/or death of nerve cells caused by repeated head injuries.

concussion

An injury to the head that causes the brain to quickly move back and forth, hitting the inside of the skull.

control group

The group in an experiment where the independent variable being tested is not applied. It serves as a standard for comparison against the experimental group where the independent variable is applied.

coronary artery disease

The narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, usually caused by atherosclerosis.

coronary bypass

A surgical bypass procedure to reroute blood around an obstruction in a coronary artery.

covalent bond

A chemical bond in which atoms share electron pairs.

cytosine

A component of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA); a pyrimidine base.

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

A type of nucleic acid consisting of nucleotide monomers with a deoxyribose sugar and the nitrogenous bases adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T). DNA is double-stranded and helical.

dependent variable

In an experiment, the variable being measured and whose value is influenced by another variable.

diagnosis

The process of determining which disease or condition explains a person’s symptoms and signs.

diastole

The stage in a heartbeat when the heart is relaxed and the heart chambers fill with blood.

diastolic pressure

The pressure in arteries between heartbeats, when the heart is relaxed.

digestive system

An organ system that breaks down food to extract energy and nutrients and then evacuates remaining waste.

disaccharide

A sugar that forms when two monosaccharides join in a dehydration reaction.

disease

A disorder of structure or function in an organism that results in specific signs or symptoms.

electrocardiogram (EKG)

A measurement of heart electrical activity.

electrophoresis

The separation of charged biological molecules by electrical current in a gel matrix.

erythrocyte (red blood cell)

Hemoglobin-rich, red blood cells that transport oxygen through a body.

eukaryotic

Organisms that have membrane-bound organelles.

experiment

A research study conducted to understand an observed phenomenon.

experimental design

A process used to carefully plan experiments in order to investigate scientific questions or problems.

forensic chemistry

A field of chemistry that tests non-biological samples, such as powders, pills, and other substances, to identify or quantify them.

forensic science

The application of scientific knowledge to resolve questions of civil and criminal law.

gel electrophoresis

The separation of nucleic acids or proteins on the basis of their size and electrical charge.

glucagon

A hormone secreted by pancreatic endocrine cells that raises blood glucose levels.

glucose

A monosaccharide, or simple sugar, with the chemical formula C6H12O6; made primarily by plants.

glucose tolerance test

A test of the body’s ability to metabolize glucose.

guanine

A component of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA); a purine base.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

A set of U.S. national standards that protect an individual’s privacy rights related to their personal medical information.

heart attack

An acute episode of heart disease that leads to damage or death of heart muscle.

heart disease

An abnormal organic condition of the heart or circulation.

heart rate

A measure of cardiac activity usually expressed in number of beats per minute.

helix

A three-dimensional spiral.

hematocrit

The proportion, by volume, of blood that is made up of red blood cells.

hemoglobin

A protein found in red blood cells that transports oxygen.

hemoglobin A1c

A blood test that measures a patient’s average blood sugar level over two to three months.

high-density lipoprotein (HDL)

The 'good' cholesterol that helps remove the less beneficial forms of cholesterol from blood.

histology

The study of the microscopic anatomy of tissues.

homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal physiological conditions.

hormone

A signaling molecule produced by glands that induces a specific effect on the activity of cells.

hydrophilic

Having an affinity for water.

hydrophobic

Having an aversion to water.

hyperglycemia

An excess of sugar in the blood.

hypertension

An abnormally high blood pressure.

hypoglycemia

An abnormal decrease of sugar in the blood.

hypothesis

A statement predicting the anticipated results of an experiment.

independent variable

In an experiment, the variable that the researcher intentionally changes.

inferior vena cava

The largest vein in the human body.

insulin

A protein hormone secreted by the pancreas, essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates.

ionic bond

A bond between atoms that results from the attraction between oppositely charged ions.

leukocyte (white blood cell)

One of the many cells in the blood that lack hemoglobin but have a nucleus and are active in the immune response.

lipid

One of a family of compounds, including fats, phospholipids, and steroids, that is insoluble in water.

livor mortis

Pooling of the blood following death.

low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

The 'bad' cholesterol that can build up in the arteries.

macromolecule

A type of large molecule formed by joining smaller molecules.

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A medical imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to take pictures of the soft tissues of the body.

malignant

A cancerous tumor that will grow and spread to invade other tissues.

measurable

Able to be measured.

medical examiner

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

medical history

A record of information about a patient’s past and current health.

metabolic syndrome

A group of concurrent diseases that can result in heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 Diabetes.

metabolism

The chemical reaction processes of breaking down molecules for energy.

metastasis

The spread of cancerous cells to other tissues.

microbiology

The study of microorganisms, including archaea, bacteria, protists, fungi, viruses, and prions.

mitral valve

A valve in the heart that guards the opening between the left atrium and the left ventricle.

model

An accurate representation of an object or phenomenon.

molecule

A group of atoms held together by chemical bonds.

monomer

A type of molecules that are the building blocks of polymers.

monosaccharide

The simplest type of sugar that cannot be broken down into other types of sugars.

morgue

A place where the bodies of dead persons are kept temporarily.

negative control

In an experiment, the group in which the conditions produce a negative outcome.

negative feedback

A mechanism of homeostasis in which a change in a physiological variable triggers a reduction in another variable.

nervous system

The body system made up of the brain and spinal cord.