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. Adenine 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, the aorta 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, the aortic valve 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); also called the AV node.
atrium	An upper chamber of the heart where blood enters. The heart has two atria: the left atrium connects to the lungs and the right atrium 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, or macromolecule, 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. The control group 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. The procedure involves grafting one end of a segment of vein removed from another part of the body onto the aorta and the other end onto the coronary artery beyond the obstructed area to allow for increased blood flow.
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 and functions in protein synthesis and as the genome of some viruses.
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, may affect a specific location in the organism, and is not a direct result of physical injury.
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. Erythrocytes give the red color to vertebrate blood and do not have nuclei.
eukaryotic	Organisms that have membrane-bound organelles.
experiment	A research study conducted to understand an observed phenomenon; determines the effect that one variable has upon another variable.
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 for analytical purposes.
glucagon	A hormone secreted by pancreatic endocrine cells that raises blood glucose levels; an antagonistic hormone to insulin.
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 that involves the administration of a measured dose of glucose to the fasting stomach and the determination of blood glucose levels in the blood or urine at intervals thereafter; used especially to detect diabetes.
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 due to insufficient blood supply to the 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. Also known as microanatomy.
homeostasis	The maintenance of stable internal physiological conditions (like body temperature or the pH of blood), which enables the optimal functioning of an organism.

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

hydrophilic	Having an affinity for water and a tendency to dissolve in, become wet by, or mix with water.
hydrophobic	Having an aversion to water and a tendency to coalesce and form droplets in 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 to determine its influence on the dependent variable.
inferior vena cava	The largest vein in the human body, the inferior vena cava returns blood to the right atrium of the heart from body parts below the diaphragm.
insulin	A protein hormone secreted by the pancreas; essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates and the regulation of glucose levels in the blood.
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. Lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are leucocytes.
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 that causes a purplish red discoloration of the skin; also referred to as lividity.
low-density lipoprotein (LDL)	The “bad” cholesterol that can build up in the arteries and help form plaques, which can cause coronary artery disease.
macromolecule	A type of large molecule formed by joining smaller molecules. Proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, and nucleic acids are macromolecules.
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 which will grow and spread to invade other tissues or parts of the body.
measurable	1. Able to be measured. 2. A measurable design criterion provides a precise indicator of a quantifiable characteristic so that a design can be compared to the criterion and deemed acceptable or unacceptable.
medical examiner	A physician who performs an autopsy when a death might have been caused accidentally or intentionally. In some jurisdictions, the Medical Examiner may also serve as the coroner.
medical history	A record of information about a patient’s past and current health. Includes information about the patient’s habits, lifestyle, and the health of their family.

metabolic syndrome	A group of concurrent diseases (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, obesity, and high cholesterol) that can result in heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 Diabetes.
metabolism	The chemical reaction processes of breaking down molecules for energy and of using simple building blocks to build up more complex molecules needed for growth and repair.
metastasis	The spread of cancerous cells to other tissues or parts of the body.
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; prevents the blood in the ventricle from returning to the atrium. Also called bicuspid valve.
model	An accurate representation of an object or phenomenon. Models can be visual, physical, mathematical, or computational; they are often used in the development of scientific theories or the engineering of artifacts.
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. Glucose and fructose are monosaccharides.
morgue	A place where the bodies of dead persons are kept temporarily pending identification or release for burial or autopsy.

negative control	In an experiment, the group in which the conditions produce a negative outcome. Negative control groups help identify outside influences that were not accounted for when the procedure was created.
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 in vertebrates that is made up of the brain and spinal cord, nerves, ganglia, and parts of the receptor organs. The nervous system receives and interprets stimuli and transmits impulses to muscles or glands.
nucleotide	A building block of DNA that consists of a five-carbon sugar covalently bonded to a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group.
nutrient	A substance that the body needs to maintain life and health, such as proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals.
organ	A collection of tissues in an organism that performs a specific function, such as the heart, brain, skin, and liver.
organ system	A group of organs that work together to perform one or more functions.
organelle	Tiny structures that perform a function in a cell. Functions can include: producing energy, housing DNA, packaging proteins, and more.
personal protective equipment (PPE)	Specialized clothing or equipment that a person wears for protection against laboratory hazards, such as infectious materials and chemicals.

polymer	A large molecule consisting of many repeating monomers (chemical units or molecules) linked together.
polymerase chain reaction (PCR)	A laboratory technique for amplifying DNA in-vitro. Uses a thermocycler, primers, DNA polymerase, and nucleotides.
polysaccharide	A polymer of monosaccharides (simple sugars) formed by dehydration synthesis.
positive control	In an experiment, the group that the researcher expects to have a positive result, to show that the experimental setup was capable of producing results.
positive feedback	A mechanism of homeostasis in which a change in a physiological variable triggers an increase in another variable.

problem statement	A clear and concise identification and description of a design problem or opportunity.
prognosis	The likely course a disease will take over an individual’s lifetime.
prokaryotic	Lacking membrane-bound organelles. Unicellular organisms are prokaryotic.

pulmonary artery	The large blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.
pulmonary circulation	Part of the circulatory system in which deoxygenated blood moves from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs (through arteries) to become oxygenated and then returns to the left side of the heart (through veins).
pulmonary valve	A one-way valve by which blood leaves the heart through arteries. The valve prevents blood from returning into the right ventricle.
pulmonary vein	The blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.
pulse	The rhythmic expansion and recoil of arteries resulting from heart contraction.
purine	An aromatic, heterocyclic organic compound that consists of a pyrimidine ring fused to an imidazole ring. Adenine and guanine are purines.
pyrimidine	An aromatic, heterocyclic organic compound. Thymine and cytosine are pyrimidines.
qualitative	A description of the qualities of something; color, shape, texture.
quantitative	A description of the amount of something; how much, how often.
recognition sites	A sequence of DNA where a restriction enzyme cuts.
respiratory rate	The number of breaths an organism takes per minute.
respiratory system	A system of organs that functions in the process of gas exchange between the body and the environment. The respiratory system consists of especially the nose, nasal passages, nasopharynx, larynx, trachea, lungs, bronchi, and alveoli.
restriction digestion	The process of cutting DNA molecules into smaller pieces using restriction enzymes.

restriction enzyme	A degradative enzyme that recognizes specific nucleotide sequences and cuts DNA at these sequences called restriction sites. Also known as a restriction endonuclease.
restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs)	Variations in DNA fragment sizes produced when DNA is cut with restriction enzymes. The variations in length are due to differences in each organism’s DNA sequence.
rigor mortis	The stiffening of joints and muscles after death.
sinoatrial node	Part of the heart’s conduction system that is responsible for heart rate. Also called the SA node.

sphygmomanometer	An instrument for measuring blood pressure, especially arterial blood pressure.
stroke	The sudden loss or reduction of blood supply to the brain resulting in tissue damage, disability, or death.
superior vena cava	The second largest vein in the human body. The superior vena cava returns blood to the right atrium of the heart from the upper half of the body.
symptom	Any subjective evidence of disease that a patient perceives
system	A group of organs in a body that work together to perform a specific function.
systemic circulation	The series of vessels that bring oxygenated blood from the heart to tissues and return deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart.
systole	The stage in a heartbeat when contraction of the heart pushes blood out of the chambers and into the aorta and pulmonary artery.
systolic pressure	The pressure generated by the heart’s left ventricle during systole.
T lymphocyte (T cell)	A type of white blood cell (lymphocyte) produced by the thymus and involved in the immune response.

thrombocyte (platelet)	A minute, colorless, anucleate disk-like body of mammalian blood that assists in blood clotting by adhering to other platelets and damaged epithelium.
thymine	A component of the nucleic acid, DNA; a pyrimidine base.
tissue	An integrated group of cells with a common function and/or structure.
tissue typing	A process where surface antigens, the HLA, of the tissues of a prospective donor and recipient are tested to determine compatibility for transplantation.
trace evidence	Tiny fragments of physical evidence, such as hairs, fibers from clothing or carpeting, and pieces of glass.
traumatic brain injury (TBI)	A brain dysfunction caused by an outside force to the head.
tricuspid valve	The valve situated at the opening of the right atrium of the heart into the right ventricle. The tricuspid valve resembles the mitral valve in structure but consists of three triangular membranous flaps.

type 1 diabetes	A form of diabetes that usually develops during childhood or adolescence. Type 1 is characterized by a severe deficiency of insulin, leading to high blood glucose levels.
type 2 diabetes	A form of diabetes that develops especially in adults, most often obese individuals. Type 2 is characterized by high blood glucose resulting from impaired insulin use coupled with the body’s inability to compensate with increased insulin production.
uracil	A component of the nucleic acid, RNA; a pyrimidine base.
valve	A body structure that temporarily closes a passage or orifice, or permits movement of fluid in only one direction.
vein	A vessel that returns blood—typically deoxygenated—to the heart.
ventricle	A lower chamber of the heart where blood exits. The heart has two ventricles: the left ventricle connects to the aorta and the right ventricle connects to the main pulmonary artery (or pulmonary trunk).
vessel	A tube—a blood vessel or lymph vessel—in which a body fluid is transported through the body.
vital signs	Measurements—specifically pulse rate, temperature, respiration rate, and blood pressure—that indicate the state of a patient’s essential body functions.