Test 1 Flashcards
Anecdotal Evidence
An informal observation that has not been systematically tested
Hypothesis
A testable (supportable or ejectable) and falsifiable (can be ruled out) explanation to a scientific observation
Peer Review
A process in which independent scientific experts read scientific studies before their publications to ensure the authors have appropriately designed and interpreted their study
Control Group
The group in an experiment that experiences no experimental intervention or manipulation
Dependent Variable
The measured result of an experiment analyzed in both the experimental and control groups
Experimental Group
The group in an experiment that experiences the experimental intervention or manipulation.
Independent Variable
The variable, or factor, being deliberately changed in the experimental group.
Placebo
A fake treatment given to control groups to mimic the experience of the experimental groups.
Placebo Effect
The effect observed when members of a control group display a measurable response to a placebo because they think that they are receiving a “real” treatment
Sample Size
The number of experimental subjects or the number of times an experiment is repeated. In human studies, sample size is the number of subjects.
Scientific Theory
A hypothesis that is supported by many years of rigorous testing and thousands of experiments.
Statistical Significance
A measure of confidence that the results obtained are “real,” rather than due to random chance.
Correlation
A consistent relationship between two variables.
Epidemiology
The study of patterns of disease in populations, including risk factors.
Cancer
A disease of unregulated cell division: cells divide inappropriately and accumulate, in some instances forming a tumor.
Chemotherapy
The treatment of disease, specifically cancer, by the use of chemicals.
Cytokinesis
The physical division of a cell into two daughter cells.
Mitosis
The segregation and separation of duplicated chromosomes during cell division.
Apoptosis
Programmed cell death; often referred to as cellular suicide.
Metastasis
The spread of cancer cells from one location in the body to another.
Radiation Therapy
The use of ionizing (high-energy) radiation to treat cancer.
Mutation
A change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA.
Carcinogen
Any chemical agent causes cancer by damaging DNA. Carcinogens are a type of mutagen.
Mutagen
Any chemical or physical agent that can damage DNA by changing its nucleotide sequence.
Oncogene
A mutated and overactive form of a proto-oncogene. Oncogenes drive cells to divide continually.
Oncology
The branch of medicine and science that deals with Cancer.
Antibiotic
A chemical that can slow or stop the growth of bacteria; many antibiotics are produced by living organisms.
Cell Theory
The concept that all living organisms are made of cells and that cells are formed by the reproduction of existing cells.
Eukaryotic Cells
Cells that contain membrane-bound organelles, including a central nucleus.
Prokaryotic Cells
Cells that lack internal membrane-bound organelles.
Organelles
The membrane-bound compartments of eukaryotic cells that carry out specific functions.
Cell Membrane
A phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins that forms the boundary of all cells.
Cell Wall
A rigid structure enclosing the cell membrane of some cells that helps the cell maintain its shape. (non-animal)
Cytoplasm
The gelatinous, aqueous interior of all cells.
Nucleus
The organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains the genetic material.
Ribosome
A complex of RNA and protein that carries out protein synthesis in all cells.
Chloroplast
An organelle in plant and algal cells that is the site of photosynthesis.
Mitochondria
Membrane-bound organelles responsible for important energy-conversion reactions in eukaryotes.
FDA
Food and Drug Administration: a federal agency responsible for monitoring trading and safety standards in the food and drug industries
Toxicology
The study of the nature, effects, and detection of poisons and the treatment of poisoning.
Blind Trial
An experimental procedure in which neither the subjects nor the experimenters know the makeup of the test and control group during the actual course of the experiments
What’s determined during the Pre-Clinical Phase (Drug Discovery) ?
Dosage, Frequency, Delievery System
Short & Long term animal survival
Length of pre-clinical?
3 years
Phase I
Goal, Subjects (# and type)
Safety, 20-80 Healthy People
Phase II
Goal, Subjects
Effectiveness & Short-term side effects, Experimental & Control group, 100’s of participants
Phase III
Goal, Subjects
Safety & Effectiveness, 1000’s
Phase IV
Goal, Subjects
All who take drug, Detection of unexpected side effects
Cell Theory
All living things are made of cells, Cells come from the division of existing cells.
Difference in a mutagen & carcinogen?
Carcinogen is a mutagen caused by a chemical agent
What are three potential outcomes of mistakes in DNA replication?
Mismatched new allele
Original allele
New allele
Purpose of Mitosis/Cell Division?
Embryonic Development, Cell Replacement, Wound Healing
Similarities & Differences between Chemo & Radiation
Similarities - treat cancer, interfere with Cell division
Differences - Chemical, High-Energy Ions, Whole Body, One Area
