abdominal pain Pain in the stomach region or belly. ^a

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) An epidemic disease caused by an infection from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus that causes failure of the immune system. ^b

Alzheimer’s disease A slowly progressive form of dementia leading to impairment of brain function. ^a

angina Chest discomfort caused by inadequate blood flow through the blood vessels (coronary vessels) of the heart muscle (myocardium). ^a

angioplasty A medical procedure using a balloon to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels of the heart (coronary arteries). ^a

antibiotic-resistant The ability of a bacterium to produce a protein that disables an antibiotic or prevents transport of the antibiotic into the cell, thus allowing the bacterium to survive. ^b

antibiotics Substances that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.^d

antihistamine Drugs that combat the histamine released during an allergic reaction by blocking the action of the histamine on the tissue. ^e

bacteria (plural of bacterium) One-celled microorganisms that multiply by simple division and can be seen only with a microscope. Some bacteria cause certain diseases, but most are harmless or beneficial. ^b

biodegradable The capacity of a compound to be broken down by living organisms to its chemical components.^b

breast cancer A malignant growth that begins in the tissues of the breast. ^a

cardiac defibrillator A device put within the body that is designed to recognize certain types of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and correct them. ^e

cardiovascular system The circulatory system consisting of the heart and the vessels that transport blood to and from the heart. ^d

cervical cancer Cancer of the uterine cervix (part of the uterus attached to the top of the vagina). ^a

cholesterol A waxy, soft, fatlike substance present in all parts of the body. It is made by the body and obtained from animal products in the diet. ^a

clone A genetically identical group of cells or organisms resulting from asexual reproduction, breeding of completely inbred organisms, or nuclear transplantation. ^b

colon The part of the large intestine that runs from the cecum to the rectum as a long hollow tube serving to remove water from digested food. ^e

colonoscopy A procedure for viewing the interior lining of the large intestine (colon) using a small camera called a colonoscope (a flexible fiber-optic tube). ^a

coronary artery disease A narrowing of the small blood vessels (coronary arteries) that supply blood and oxygen to the heart resulting from buildup of fatty material and plaque. ^a

C-reactive proteins Plasma proteins produced in the blood when inflammation is present in the body. ^e

diabetes A lifelong disease marked by elevated levels of sugar in the blood. It can be caused by too little insulin, resistance to insulin, or both. ^a

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) A long chain molecule found in most cells that carries the genetic message that controls all cellular functions in most forms of life. ^b

DNA sequence The relative order of chemical base pairs, whether in a fragment of DNA, a gene, a chromosome, or an entire genome. ^c

dopamine An important messenger (neurotransmitter) in the brain. ^e

embryo An immature organism in the early stage of development. In mammals, this stage occurs in the first few days or weeks of pregnancy. ^d

epidemic More than the expected number of cases of a disease occurring in a community or region during a given period of time. Often, a sudden, severe outbreak within a region or group. ^e

FDA The Food and Drug Administration, a federal agency that regulates foods, drugs and cosmetics in the U.S.

fetus The unborn young of an animal while still in the uterus or egg. In humans, the offspring from the third month of pregnancy until birth. ^b

fiber optics An optical system in which an image is conveyed by a compact bundle of thin, flexible glass or plastic fibers. ^b

fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) A special imaging technology used to view the structure of the brain and show the relativity between physical changes in the brain (e.g., blood flow) and mental functioning (e.g., performing cognitive tasks). ^g

gene The fundamental physical and functional unit of heredity. ^c

gene therapy The introduction of genes into existing cells to prevent or treat a wide range of diseases. ^c

genome The set of genes carried by an individual; the set of genes shared by members of a reproductive unit such as a population or species. ^d

G-proteins Proteins with an important role in relaying signals in mammalian cells. ^b

heart bypass Surgery performed to bypass clogged arteries supplying the heart. ^g

heart-valve defect A defect causing failure of a heart valve to close or open fully. ^g

hepatitis A An inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. ^a

high-density lipoproteins (HDL) The "good" cholesterol, these lipid-protein complexes carry cholesterol in the bloodstream. ^g

HIV A viral infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that gradually destroys the immune system, resulting in infections that are extremely hard for the body to fight. ^a

hormones Chemical substances that are produced in the endocrine glands and travel in the blood to target organs where they elicit a response. ^d

human papillomavirus A viral skin disease characterized by a soft wart-like growth on the genitals. ^a

hyperactivity disorder A condition characterized by a developmentally inappropriate level of attention, concentration, activity, distractibility, and impulsivity. ^a

immune system One of the 11 major body organ systems in vertebrates; defends the internal environment against invading microorganisms and viruses and provides defense against the growth of cancer cells. ^d

impotence An abnormal physical or psychological state in a male characterized by inability to copulate because of failure to have or maintain an erection—called also erectile dysfunction. ^g

laparoscopy A group of operations performed with the aid of a camera placed in the abdomen. ^a

laser keratotomy A type of eye surgery using the cutting power of laser beams to reshape the cornea to correct certain vision problems. ^h

leukemia A group of diseases involving the blood-forming organs characterized by uncontrolled increase of white blood cells (leukocytes). ^a

Lou Gehrig’s disease A disease of the motor nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing progressive loss of motor control. ^a

low-density lipoproteins (LDL) "Bad" cholesterol, this combination of a fat and a protein acts as a carrier for cholesterol and fats in the bloodstream. ^g

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) A non invasive body imaging procedure that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to construct pictures of the internal structures of the body. ^a

monoclonal antibody A protein that protects the body against infection, produced in the laboratory by a single group of genetically identical cells. ^b

mutant gene A form of gene changed over time that may or may not be present in the current population. ^b

nearsightedness An error of visual focusing that makes distant objects appear blurred. ^b

Nitric Oxide (NO) An important signaling molecule that acts in many tissues to regulate a diverse range of physiological processes. ^b

Nobel Prize An award given by the private institution established in 1900 in the will of Alfred Nobel. Nobel Prizes are awarded annually in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace. ^f

non-Hodgkins lymphoma Cancers of lymphoid tissue (lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs of the immune system). ^a

obesity A condition in which a person's weight is 20% (25% in women) or more over the maximum desirable for their height. ^a

omega-3 fatty acids Fatty acids found in certain fish oils that lower the levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins or LDL) in the blood. ^e

osteoporosis A condition characterized by the progressive loss of bone density and thinning of bone tissue. ^a

pancreatic cancer A malignant (cancerous) growth of the pancreas. ^a

Parkinson's disease A disorder of the brain characterized by shaking (tremor) and difficulty with walking, movement, and coordination. ^a

peptic ulcer An ulcer in the stomach or duodenum wall, generally caused by bacterial infection. ^d

photodynamic therapy A cancer treatment using laser light and a substance that causes a chemical reaction and results in destruction of cancer cells. ⁱ

prion An infectious agent composed of one or more protein molecules, responsible for several brain disorders (such as "mad cow" disease). ^d

prostate cancer A malignant growth within the prostate gland. ^a

protease inhibitor One of a class of anti-HIV drugs designed to inhibit the enzyme protease and thereby interfere with virus replication. ^e

PSA blood test A test for prostate cancer that measures the amount of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) in the blood. ^a

signaling molecules Proteins or lipids that can be secreted by a cell, or expressed on the cell’s surface. ^b

stem cell A "generic" or undifferentiated cell that can make exact copies of itself indefinitely, and can become specialized for various tissues in the body. ^a

stent A metal or plastic tube that is inserted into a passage (like a blood vessel) to keep it open. ^a

transplant The procedure of grafting a donor's tissues or organs into a patient's body. ^b

womb (uterus) A hollow, pear-shaped organ in a female's lower abdomen in which a fertilized egg is embedded and where the developing embryo and fetus are nourished during pregnancy. ^e

World Health Organization (WHO) A specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1948 to further international cooperation for improved health conditions around the world. ^e

xenograft A surgical graft of tissue from one species onto a different species. ^e

xenotransplant Transplantation of tissue from one species to another species, typically from non human mammals to humans. ^b

yeast A single-cell member of the fungus family. ^b

Sources

a - University of Maryland Medicine http://www.umm.edu/ency/index/miscidxa.htm

b - Glossary of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/003
/X3910E/X3910E04.htm#TopOfPage

c - A Glossary of Genetics http://linkage.rockefeller.edu/wli/glossary/genetics.html

d - Online Biology Book Glossary http://www.emc.maricopa.edu
/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookgloss.html

e - MedicineNet.com http://www.medicinenet.com/script
/main/AlphaIdx.asp?li=MNI&p=A_DICT

f - The Nobel Prize Internet Archive http://www.nobel.se/nobel/nobel-foundation/index.html

g - Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH
/WSRNM000/331/9276.html?k=tnavx408x9276

h - Glossary of Eye and Vision Terms - http://www.eyeglossary.net

i - Medical and Surgical Glossary http://www.mtdesk.com