Glossary of Terms: Infectious Disease, Genetics, and Cancer

Question 1

Term

Answer 1

Definition

Question 2

Allele

Answer 2

Different forms of the same gene.

Question 3

Angiogenesis

Answer 3

The formation of new blood vessels, which tumors use to grow and spread.

Question 4

Antibiotic Resistance

Answer 4

The ability of bacteria to resist the effects of antibiotics, making infections harder to treat.

Question 5

BRCA1 and BRCA2

Answer 5

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,

Question 6

Benign Tumor

Answer 6

A non-cancerous tumor that does not spread to other parts of the body.

Question 7

Cancer

Answer 7

Uncontrolled cell growth due to mutations, leading to tumor formation or spread through the body.

Question 8

Capsid

Answer 8

The protein shell that encloses a virus’s genetic material.

Question 9

Carcinogen

Answer 9

A substance capable of causing cancer by damaging DNA.

Question 10

Chemotherapy

Answer 10

A treatment that uses drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells.

Question 11

Chromosomal Abnormality

Answer 11

A condition involving alterations in chromosome structure or number.

Question 12

Cross-Contamination

Answer 12

The transfer of harmful bacteria from one food item to another, often via contaminated surfaces.

Question 13

Danger Zone (Food Safety)

Answer 13

The temperature range (40°F-140°F) in which bacteria grow rapidly in food.

Question 14

Dominant Gene

Answer 14

A gene that is expressed even when only one copy is inherited.

Question 15

Ectoparasite

Answer 15

An external parasite, such as lice or ticks, that feeds on a host.

Question 16

Epigenetics

Answer 16

The study of changes in gene expression that do not involve DNA sequence changes.

Question 17

Foodborne Illness

Answer 17

Illness caused by consuming contaminated food.

Question 18

Gram-Negative Bacteria

Answer 18

Bacteria that appear pink in Gram-staining and often have higher antibiotic resistance.

Question 19

Gram-Positive Bacteria

Answer 19

Bacteria that retain a purple stain in the Gram-staining process due to thick cell walls.

Question 20

HACCP

Answer 20

A systematic approach to food safety that identifies and controls hazards in food production.

Question 21

Helminth

Answer 21

A parasitic worm, such as tapeworms and roundworms.

Question 22

Homologous Chromosomes

Answer 22

Chromosome pairs that have the same genes but may have different alleles.

Question 23

Immunotherapy

Answer 23

A treatment that boosts the immune system to help it recognize and attack cancer cells.

Question 24

Lobules

Answer 24

Milk-producing structures in the breast where breast cancer can originate.

Question 25

Malignant Tumor

Answer 25

A cancerous tumor that invades nearby tissues and spreads to other parts of the body.

Question 26

Mastectomy

Answer 26

A surgical procedure to remove part or all of the breast tissue.

Question 27

Metastasis

Answer 27

The process by which cancer cells spread from the original site to other organs.

Question 28

Mutation

Answer 28

A change in DNA sequence that can lead to genetic disorders or cancer.

Question 29

Oncogene

Answer 29

A gene that promotes cell division and, when mutated, leads to uncontrolled cell growth.

Question 30

Pasteurization

Answer 30

A heat treatment process that kills pathogens in foods like milk and juice.

Question 31

Pathogen

Answer 31

A microorganism that causes disease, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Question 32

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)

Answer 32

A blood test used to detect prostate cancer by measuring PSA levels.

Question 33

Protozoa

Answer 33

A single-celled parasite that can cause infections, such as Giardia.

Question 34

Punnett Square

Answer 34

A tool used to predict genetic inheritance in offspring.

Question 35

Radiation Therapy

Answer 35

A therapy that uses high-energy radiation to target and destroy cancer cells.

Question 36

Recessive Gene

Answer 36

A gene that is expressed only when two copies are inherited.

Question 37

Sanitation

Answer 37

Practices that maintain hygiene and prevent disease transmission.

Question 38

TNM Staging System

Answer 38

A system used to stage cancer based on tumor size (T), lymph node involvement (N), and metastasis (M).

Question 39

Thermophilic Bacteria

Answer 39

Bacteria that thrive at high temperatures, often found in hot food environments.

Question 40

Trisomy

Answer 40

A condition where an individual has an extra chromosome, such as in Down syndrome.

Question 41

Tumor-Suppressor Gene

Answer 41

A gene that normally inhibits cell division but, when mutated, fails to prevent cancer growth.

Question 42

Vector-Borne Disease

Answer 42

A disease transmitted by insects or animals, such as malaria or Lyme disease.

Question 43

Virus

Answer 43

A microscopic infectious agent that requires a host cell to replicate.