Glossary of Terms: Infectious Disease, Genetics, and Cancer Flashcards
Term
Definition
Allele
Different forms of the same gene.
Angiogenesis
The formation of new blood vessels, which tumors use to grow and spread.
Antibiotic Resistance
The ability of bacteria to resist the effects of antibiotics, making infections harder to treat.
BRCA1 and BRCA2
DNA Repair genes. Mutations in these genes significantly increase the risk of developing both breast and prostate cancer as they play a crucial role in repairing DNA damage,
Benign Tumor
A non-cancerous tumor that does not spread to other parts of the body.
Cancer
Uncontrolled cell growth due to mutations, leading to tumor formation or spread through the body.
Capsid
The protein shell that encloses a virus’s genetic material.
Carcinogen
A substance capable of causing cancer by damaging DNA.
Chemotherapy
A treatment that uses drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells.
Chromosomal Abnormality
A condition involving alterations in chromosome structure or number.
Cross-Contamination
The transfer of harmful bacteria from one food item to another, often via contaminated surfaces.
Danger Zone (Food Safety)
The temperature range (40°F-140°F) in which bacteria grow rapidly in food.
Dominant Gene
A gene that is expressed even when only one copy is inherited.
Ectoparasite
An external parasite, such as lice or ticks, that feeds on a host.
Epigenetics
The study of changes in gene expression that do not involve DNA sequence changes.
Foodborne Illness
Illness caused by consuming contaminated food.
Gram-Negative Bacteria
Bacteria that appear pink in Gram-staining and often have higher antibiotic resistance.
Gram-Positive Bacteria
Bacteria that retain a purple stain in the Gram-staining process due to thick cell walls.
HACCP
A systematic approach to food safety that identifies and controls hazards in food production.
Helminth
A parasitic worm, such as tapeworms and roundworms.
Homologous Chromosomes
Chromosome pairs that have the same genes but may have different alleles.
Immunotherapy
A treatment that boosts the immune system to help it recognize and attack cancer cells.
Lobules
Milk-producing structures in the breast where breast cancer can originate.
Malignant Tumor
A cancerous tumor that invades nearby tissues and spreads to other parts of the body.
Mastectomy
A surgical procedure to remove part or all of the breast tissue.
Metastasis
The process by which cancer cells spread from the original site to other organs.
Mutation
A change in DNA sequence that can lead to genetic disorders or cancer.
Oncogene
A gene that promotes cell division and, when mutated, leads to uncontrolled cell growth.
Pasteurization
A heat treatment process that kills pathogens in foods like milk and juice.
Pathogen
A microorganism that causes disease, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
A blood test used to detect prostate cancer by measuring PSA levels.
Protozoa
A single-celled parasite that can cause infections, such as Giardia.
Punnett Square
A tool used to predict genetic inheritance in offspring.
Radiation Therapy
A therapy that uses high-energy radiation to target and destroy cancer cells.
Recessive Gene
A gene that is expressed only when two copies are inherited.
Sanitation
Practices that maintain hygiene and prevent disease transmission.
TNM Staging System
A system used to stage cancer based on tumor size (T), lymph node involvement (N), and metastasis (M).
Thermophilic Bacteria
Bacteria that thrive at high temperatures, often found in hot food environments.
Trisomy
A condition where an individual has an extra chromosome, such as in Down syndrome.
Tumor-Suppressor Gene
A gene that normally inhibits cell division but, when mutated, fails to prevent cancer growth.
Vector-Borne Disease
A disease transmitted by insects or animals, such as malaria or Lyme disease.
Virus
A microscopic infectious agent that requires a host cell to replicate.
