Experimental Methods in Endocrinology Flashcards
What are the two types of measurements in endocrine methodologies?
Quantitative and qualitative measurement of hormones and/or receptors
What is the purpose of functional assays in endocrine research?
To assess the value of hormonal functions in research and diagnostics
What does immunohistochemistry help determine?
The specific distribution of target proteins in tissues, cells, or parts of cells
Fill in the blank: Radioimmunoassay (RIA) is used to detect and quantify _______ concentrations of hormones in blood or other fluids.
[low]
What is the primary principle behind radioimmunoassay?
An unlabeled hormone competes with a radiolabeled hormone for binding to the antibody
What are the two histological stains mentioned?
- Hematoxylin
- Eosin
True or False: Histological stains provide insights into the basic components of the cell.
True
What is the process of gene expression?
Transcription of DNA to RNA, followed by translation to protein
What does PCR stand for?
Polymerase Chain Reaction
What is the role of reverse transcriptase in PCR?
To convert extracted RNA into its DNA complement
What are stimulation tests used for?
To determine the capacity of the target gland to respond to its control mechanism
What is the function of suppression tests?
To determine whether negative feedback mechanisms controlling hormone release are intact
Fill in the blank: Transgenic animals contain _______ genes or gene modifications.
[exogenous]
What are the potential outcomes of genetic engineering in endocrine research?
- Improved growth
- Disease-resistance genes
- Better feed utilization
What do histological studies reveal about endocrine tissues?
Cytological characteristics, including hypertrophic and atrophic cells
What does in situ hybridization localize?
Nucleotides (DNA and RNA) within cells/tissues
What is the significance of measuring gene expression?
It indicates the levels of RNA or the protein made from the RNA
True or False: Upregulation of RNA always results in upregulation of protein production.
False
What does immunohistochemistry utilize to detect specific antigens?
Specific antibodies
What is the main purpose of functional assays in endocrine measurement?
To obtain dynamic measurements of hormone secretion
What can significant changes in organ or cell size indicate?
Underlying pathophysiology or functional changes accompanying disease
What is the effect of hormones on gene expression?
They can induce effects by changing mRNA or protein levels in target tissues
What does the term ‘phenotype’ refer to?
The observable characteristics of an organism
What can be used to amplify the RNA message in PCR?
Specific primers designed against a specific sequence
