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Medical Terminology > Unit 3 Abbreviations and Word List > Flashcards

Unit 3 Abbreviations and Word List Flashcards

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USMLE® Step 1 flashcards
1
Q

DNA

A

deoxyribonucleic acid, the carrier of genetic information for the cell

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2
Q

EtOH

A

ethanol

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3
Q

MTOC

A

microtubule organizing center, where microtubules are made

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4
Q

RNA

A

ribonucleic acid, the “go-between” linking DNA to protein synthesis

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5
Q

acetylcholine

A

chemical signaling molecule

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6
Q

acetylcholinesterase

A

enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine

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7
Q

acid

A

chemical that gives off hydrogen ions

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8
Q

adenine

A

molecule found in DNA and RNA; pairs with thymine (in DNA) or uracil (in RNA)

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9
Q

adipocyte

A

fat cell

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10
Q

aerobic

A

activity that occurs when oxygen is plentiful

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11
Q

alcohol

A

chemical group that includes grain alcohol, ethanol (EtOH)

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12
Q

alkaline

A

chemical that absorbs hydrogen ions

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13
Q

allele

A

unit of inheritance

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14
Q

amphipathic

A

a molecule that partially prefers water and partially repels water

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15
Q

anabolic

A

chemical process that makes larger chemicals out of smaller ones

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16
Q

anaerobic

A

activity that occurs when oxygen is scarce

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17
Q

anaphase

A

stage of cell division where chromosomes are separating

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18
Q

antibody

A

protein that defends the body against invaders; immunoglobulin

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19
Q

antiparallel

A

parallel, but running in opposite directions, like a two-lane road

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20
Q

antiport

A

transport process that involves molecules moving in opposite directions; exchange

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21
Q

apical

A

towards the top

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22
Q

apocrine

A

cellular secretion that involves breaking off a piece of the cell

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23
Q

apoptosis

A

programmed or preplanned cell death

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24
Q

astrocyte

A

star-shaped cell of the brain; a type of glial cell (same as astroglia)

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25
Q

astroglia

A

star-shaped cell of the brain; a type of glial cell (same as astrocyte)

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26
Q

atom

A

the smallest unit of matter; indivisible quantity (name means “can’t be cut”)

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27
Q

autosome

A

chromosome that is not involved in sex determination

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28
Q

avascular

A

without blood vessels

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29
Q

basal

A

toward the bottom

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30
Q

base pair

A

adenine-thymine or cytosine-guanine pairs that form the “rungs” of the twisted ladder structure of DNA

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31
Q

bilayer

A

two-layed covering; cell membrane

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32
Q

blastocyst

A

stage of a human embryo where it is a hollow ball of rapidly-dividing cells

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33
Q

carbohydrate

A

molecule consisting of equal parts carbon and water

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34
Q

catabolic

A

chemical process that makes smaller chemicals out of larger ones

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35
Q

catalyze

A

to speed up a chemical reaction

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36
Q

centriole

A

organelle that acts as a microtubule organizing center (MTOC)

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37
Q

centromere

A

part of a chromosome in the center, where the two DNA molecules touch

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38
Q

centrosome

A

organelle that acts as a microtubule organizing center (MTOC)

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39
Q

cholesterol

A

important lipid, essential for cell processes

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40
Q

chondrocyte

A

cartilage cell

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41
Q

chromatin

A

DNA plus RNA associated proteins, visible when cells are dyed and viewed through a microscope

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42
Q

chromosome

A

chromatin visible through the microscope in X-shaped packages

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43
Q

cilia

A

eyelash-like extension of the cell, used to move substances on the cell surface

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44
Q

codon

A

unit of genetic information; thousands of codons make up a gene

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45
Q

colloid

A

microscopic particles (larger than molecules) surrounded by water

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46
Q

columnar

A

cells that are higher than they are wide

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47
Q

cuboidal

A

cells that are about as high as they are wide (“cube-like”)

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48
Q

cytokinesis

A

the movement of cells in cell division

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49
Q

cytoplasm

A

gel-like substance, including organelles, that fills cells and is surrounded by a membrane

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50
Q

cytosine

A

molecule found in DNA and RNA; pairs with guanine

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51
Q

cytoskeleton

A

organelle composed of structural support proteins

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52
Q

cytosol

A

cytoplasm minus organelles

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53
Q

dehydration

A

chemical reaction which removes water and forms a new chemical bond

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54
Q

denaturation

A

using heat or chemicals to alter the normal (native) structure of proteins, DNA, or RNA

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55
Q

deoxyribose

A

a sugar that, along with phosphate groups, forms the backbone of the DNA molecule

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56
Q

diffusion

A

process by which molecules move from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration

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57
Q

diploid

A

containing two copies of each DNA molecule; the normal number of DNA molecules in most human cells

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58
Q

dominant

A

in Mendelian genetics, one copy of a dominant allele is expressed as an observable characteristic

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59
Q

elastin

A

a protein; snaps back into shape when released after being stretched

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60
Q

electrolysis

A

process of breaking molecules (or hairs) through electricity

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61
Q

electrolyte

A

change-carrying ion in the blood

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62
Q

electromagnetic

A

radiation that depending on energy level can be radio waves, microwaves, visible light, X-rays, or gamma rays

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63
Q

electron

A

subatomic particle with a negative charge; found on the outside of an atom

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64
Q

endergonic

A

chemical reaction which requires energy

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65
Q

endocytosis

A

intake of substances by the cell

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66
Q

endoplasmic reticulum

A

organelle with net-like structure found in cytoplasm

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67
Q

endothelium

A

tissue lining blood vessels

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68
Q

endothermic

A

chemical reaction which absorbs heat energy; same thing as endergonic

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69
Q

entropy

A

the tendency of matter to become disorganized

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70
Q

enzyme

A

protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the cell

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71
Q

epigenetic

A

changes in DNA that are outside of the normal molecular genetic processes

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72
Q

epinephrine

A

chemical signaling molecule

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73
Q

epithelim

A

tissue lining body cavities and outside surfaces of the body

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74
Q

erythrocyte

A

red blood cell

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75
Q

erythrocytosis

A

abnormally high levels of red blood cells

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76
Q

estrogen

A

lipid signaling molecule that promotes development of female sexual characteristics

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77
Q

ethanol

A

alcohol that forms part of liquor, wine, and beer; grain alcohol

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78
Q

euchromatin

A

unspooled chromatin; chromatin in the active process of being used

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79
Q

eukaryotic

A

cells with a true nucleus

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80
Q

exergonic

A

chemical reaction which releases energy

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81
Q

exocytosis

A

release of substances from a cell

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82
Q

exon

A

the part of a gene that is turned into protein

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83
Q

exothermic

A

chemical reaction which releases heat energy; same thing as exergonic

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84
Q

extracellular

A

outside of cells

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85
Q

fibroblast

A

connective tissue cell

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86
Q

fructose

A

a sugar; converted by liver to glucose

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87
Q

gamete

A

eggs in females and sperm in males; the cells specialized for reproduction

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88
Q

gastrulation

A

process of embryonic development that forms a “little stomach” or invagination

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89
Q

genotype

A

silent characteristic of DNA that results from the sequence of DNA base pairs

90
Q

glia

A

non-excitable cells of the brain; perform housekeeping duties for the brain

91
Q

gluconeogenesis

A

process by which new glucose molecules are made inside the body

92
Q

glucose

A

a sugar; main energy carrier in blood

93
Q

glycerol

A

alcohol derived from sugar

94
Q

glycogen

A

storage form of glucose, mostly found in liver and muscle

95
Q

glycogenolysis

A

breakdown of glycogen

96
Q

glycolysis

A

breakdown of glucose

97
Q

glycoprotein

A

protein+sugar; more protein than sugar

98
Q

goblet cell

A

mucus-making cell

99
Q

guanine

A

molecule found in DNA and RNA; pairs with cytosine

100
Q

haploid

A

containing one copy of each DNA molecule; the normal number of DNA molecules in gametes

101
Q

hemoglobin

A

protein that carries oxygen and CO2 in the blood

102
Q

heterochromatin

A

spooled chromatin; chromatin in storage

103
Q

histology

A

the study of tissues

104
Q

histone

A

protein spool around which DNA is wound

105
Q

holocrine

A

cellular secretion that involves the cell exploding

106
Q

hydrolysis

A

chemical reaction which adds water and breaks a chemical bond

107
Q

hydrophilic

A

a molecule that prefers water

108
Q

hydrophobic

A

a molecule that repels water

109
Q

hypercholesterolemia

A

high cholesterol levels in the blood

110
Q

hyperkalemia

A

high potassium levels in the blood

111
Q

hypernatremia

A

high sodium levels in the blood

112
Q

hypertonic

A

solution with more particles per volume than the inside of a cell

113
Q

hypokalemia

A

low potassium levels in the blood

114
Q

hyponatremia

A

low sodium levels in the blood

115
Q

hypotonic

A

solution with fewer particles per volume than the inside of the cell

116
Q

immunoglobulin

A

protein that defends the body against invaders; antibody

117
Q

insulin

A

protein that helps cells manage blood sugar

118
Q

interphase

A

stage of cell life cycle that does not involve active division

119
Q

intron

A

the part of a gene that is discarded in protein synthesis

120
Q

ionic

A

pertaining to charged particles (atoms or molecules)

121
Q

isomer

A

different arrangements of the same atoms in the same quantities

122
Q

isotonic

A

solution with the same number of particles per volume as the inside of a cell

123
Q

isotope

A

different forms of the same element where the number of neutrons varies but the number of protons stays the same

124
Q

ketoacidosis

A

high keton and acid levels in the blood

125
Q

ketone

A

chemical byproduct of lipid breakdown

126
Q

kinase

A

enzyme that adds a phosphorus-containing chemical group

127
Q

lactose

A

a sugar; found in milk

128
Q

lamina

A

layer, “plate”

129
Q

lariat

A

loop of RNA that is discarded as an intron

130
Q

leukocyte

A

white blood cell

131
Q

leukocytosis

A

abnormally high levels of white blood cells

132
Q

ligand

A

a signaling molecule or drug that binds to a receptor

133
Q

ligoprotein

A

a protein that carries fat molecules in the blood

134
Q

liposome

A

microscopic balls of fat molecules

135
Q

lymphocyte

A

white blood cell (a subtype)

136
Q

lysosome

A

organelle that breaks down substances that the cell no longer needs

137
Q

macrophage

A

cell that eats large particles, including bacterial invaders

138
Q

maltose

A

a sugar; derived from malt

139
Q

meiosis

A

process of forming gametes by reorganizing and reducing the amount of DNA in each cell

140
Q

merocrine

A

cellular secretion that involves the cell releasing substances using vesicles

141
Q

metabolism

A

anabolism +catabolism

142
Q

metaphase

A

stage of cell division where chromosomes are lined up

143
Q

microfilament

A

thread-like part of the cytoskeleton

144
Q

microglia

A

defensive cell in the brain

145
Q

microtubule

A

tube-like part of the cytoskeleton

146
Q

microvillus

A

microscopic shaggy hair-like structures on the surface of intestinal cells and other absorptive epithelia

147
Q

mitochondrion

A

organelle that creates cellular energy

148
Q

mitosis

A

process of cell division that results in diploid cells (non-gamete cells; somatic cells)

149
Q

mole

A

unit describing number of molecules in a solution

150
Q

molecule

A

arrangements of two or more atoms into larger structures (typically, about one-thousandth of a millimeter)

151
Q

monomer

A

single molecular unit

152
Q

neutron

A

subatomic particle with no charge; found in the nucleus of the atom

153
Q

norepinephrine

A

chemical signaling molecule

154
Q

nucleolus

A

“little nucleus”: RNA-making factory in the nucleus of a cell

155
Q

nucleoside

A

part of DNA and RNA: base (adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, or uracil) plus sugar

156
Q

nucleotide

A

monomer of DNA or RNA; nucleoside plus 1 phosphorus and 4 oxygen atoms

157
Q

nucleus

A

organelle where genetic material is stored and manipulated

158
Q

oligodendrocyte

A

a cell in the nervous system that forms insulating sheaths; same as oligodendroglia

159
Q

oligodendroglia

A

a cell in the nervous system that forms insulating sheaths; same as oligodendrocyte

160
Q

organelle

A

microscopic part of a cell where specific cell functions are carried out

161
Q

osmosis

A

process of diffusion through a membrane that allows only water to pass

162
Q

osteocyte

A

bone cell

163
Q

peptidoglycan

A

sugar+protein; more sugar than protein

164
Q

peroxide

A

water with an extra oxygen atom, H2O2

165
Q

peroxisome

A

organelle that uses peroxide to break down substances in the cell

166
Q

phagocytosis

A

process of cell eating large particles

167
Q

phenotype

A

observable characteristics that results from genetic plus epigenetic processes

168
Q

phosopholipid

A

phosphorus-containing fat molecule

169
Q

phosphorylation

A

process of removing a phosphorus-containing chemical group

170
Q

photon

A

subatomic particle that carries electromagnetic (light) energy

171
Q

pinocytosis

A

process of cell drinking

172
Q

ploidy

A

number of DNA molecules in the cell

173
Q

polar

A

molecule with an unequal distribution of electons; this makes it water-loving (hydrophilic)

174
Q

polymer

A

combination of two to 250 million molecular units

175
Q

polypeptide

A

small protein; string of many amino acids (generally, between 2 and 100ish)

176
Q

polyploid

A

containing more than two copies of each DNA molecule

177
Q

primer

A

a DNA or RNA fragment that starts a chemical process in the cell

178
Q

prokaryotic

A

cells without a true nucleus

179
Q

prophase

A

stage of cell division that begins the division process

180
Q

prostaglandin

A

lipid signaling molecule

181
Q

proteasome

A

organelle that breaks down proteins that the cell no longer needs

182
Q

protein

A

a string of amino acids which is responsible for most cell functions (generally, between 100 and 34,350 amino acids)

183
Q

proteoglycan

A

sugar+protein; more sugar than protein

184
Q

proton

A

subatomic particle with a positive charge; found in the nucleus of the atom

185
Q

pseudostratified

A

appearing to be layered when there is actually a single layer of cells

186
Q

receptor

A

a protein in the cell membrane; when it binds a signaling molecule it causes a change in the cell

187
Q

recessive

A

in Mendelian genetics, two copies of a recessive allele are needed to create an observable characteristic

188
Q

renaturation

A

restoring the normal (native) structure of proteins, DNA, or RNA

189
Q

resonance

A

property of molecules where there is extensive sharing of electrons between atoms

190
Q

reticular

A

net-like

191
Q

ribose

A

a sugar that, along with phosphate groups, forms the backbone of the RNA molecule

192
Q

ribosome

A

organelle that is a protein-making machine; consists of RNA plus protein

193
Q

secretion

A

releases of substances from a cell or from the body

194
Q

solution

A

molecular-size particles surrounded by water

195
Q

somatic

A

most of the body cells; cells that have no reproductive function (non-gametes)

196
Q

squamous

A

cells that are wider than they are high

197
Q

steroid

A

lipid signaling molecule based on cholesterol

198
Q

stratified

A

layered

199
Q

stratum

A

layer

200
Q

substrate

A

molecule that an enzyme acts upon

201
Q

sucrose

A

a sugar; can sugar or table sugar

202
Q

surfactant

A

chemical substance that helps lipids dissolve in water; detergent

203
Q

suspension

A

cells or other large microscopic particles surround by water

204
Q

symport

A

transport process that involves molecules moving in the same direction

205
Q

telomere

A

part of a chromosome at the ends

206
Q

telophase

A

stage of cell division that ends the division process

207
Q

testosterone

A

lipid signaling molecule that promotes development of male sexual characteristics

208
Q

thermodynamics

A

branch of physics that studies how energy is managed by systems like cells

209
Q

thrombocyte

A

cell fragment responsible for blood clotting; platelet (“small plate”)

210
Q

thrombocytopenia

A

abnormally low levels of thrombocytes

211
Q

thrombocytosis

A

abnormally high levels of thrombocytes

212
Q

thymine

A

molecule found in DNA; pairs with adenine

213
Q

tonicity

A

number of particles per unit volume (i.e. concentration of particles)

214
Q

transcription

A

process by which RNA is made from DNA

215
Q

translation

A

process by which protein is made from RNA

216
Q

triglyceride

A

form of lipid found in the blood

217
Q

uracil

A

molecule found in RNA; pairs with adenine

218
Q

valence

A

property of atoms important to understand formation of bonds by sharing or trading of electrons

219
Q

vesicle

A

organelle that contains molecules to be secreted or absorbed by the cell

220
Q

villus

A

shaggy hair-like structures lining the intestines

Medical Terminology (15 decks)

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