Prepare for the HOSA Biomedical Laboratory Science competition with these practice questions and answers. This guide covers laboratory techniques, safety procedures, and clinical laboratory science.

Q: Antibodies

Answer: proteins developed by the immune system that recognize specific molecules (antigens)

Q: Applied science

Answer: the practice of utilizing scientific knowledge for practical purposes, including the manufacture of a product

Q: Bioethics

Answer: the study of decision-making as it applies to moral decisions that have to be made because of advances in biology, medicine, and technology

Q: Biotechnology

Answer: the study and manipulation of living things or their component molecules, cells, tissues, or organs

Q: CDC

Answer: abbreviation for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; national research center for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities to improve public health

Q: Control

Answer: experimental trial added to an experiment to ensure that the experiment was run properly; see positive control and negative control

Q: Cystic fibrosis (CF)

Answer: genetic disorder that clogs the respiratory and digestive systems with mucus

Q: DNA ligase

Answer: an enzyme that binds together disconnected strands of a DNA molecule

Q: E. coli

Answer: a rod-shaped bacterium native to the intestines of mammals; commonly used in genetics and biotechnology

Q: EPA

Answer: abbreviation for the Environmental Protection Agency; the federal agency that enforces environmental laws including the use and production of microorganisms, herbicides, pesticides, and genetically modified microorganisms

Q: FDA

Answer: abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration; the federal agency that regulates the use and production of food, feed, food additives, veterinary drugs, human drugs, and medical devices

Q: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Answer: organisms that contain DNA from another organism and produce new proteins encoded on the acquired DNA

Q: Hypothesis

Answer: an educated guess to answer a scientific question; should be testable

Q: Molecular biology

Answer: the study of molecules that are found in cells

Q: Moral

Answer: a conviction or justifiable position, having to do with whether something is considered right or wrong

Q: Negative control

Answer: a group of data lacking what is being tested so as to give expected negative results

Q: NIH

Answer: abbreviation for National Institutes of Health; the federal agency that funds and conducts biomedical research

Q: Pharmaceutical

Answer: relating to drugs developed for medical use

Q: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Answer: a technique that involves copying short pieces of DNA and then making millions of copies in a short time

Q: Positive control

Answer: a group of data that will give predictable positive results

Q: Proteases

Answer: proteins whose function is to break down other proteins

Q: Pure science

Answer: scientific research whose main purpose is to enrich the scientific knowledge base

Q: Reagent

Answer: chemical used in an experiment

Q: Recombinant DNA (rDNA)

Answer: DNA created by combining DNA from two or more sources

Q: Recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology

Answer: cutting and recombining DNA molecules

Q: Research and development (R&D)

Answer: refers to the early stages in product development that include discovery of the structure and function of a potential product and initial small-scale production

Q: Therapeutic

Answer: an agent that is used to treat diseases or disorders

Q: t-PA

Answer: short for tissue plasminogen activator; one of the first genetically engineered products to be sold; a naturally occurring enzyme that breaks down blood clots and clears blocked blood vessels

Q: USDA

Answer: abbreviation for United States Department of Agriculture; the federal agency that regulates the use and production of plants, plant products, plant pests, veterinary supplies and medications, and genetically modified plants and animals

Q: Variable

Answer: anything that can vary in an experiment; the independent variable is tested in an experiment to see its effect on dependent variables

Q: Antibiotics

Answer: Molecular agents derived from fungi and/or bacteria that impede the growth and survival of some other microorganisms

Q: Biochemistry

Answer: The study of chemical reactions occurring in living things

Q: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Answer: Nation research center to improve public health

Q: Clinical trials

Answer: A strict series of tests that evaluates the effectiveness and safety of a medical treatment

Q: Cloning

Answer: Method of asexual reproduction that produces identical organisms

Q: Concentration

Answer: The amount of a substance as a proportion of another substance

Q: Cystic Fibrosis

Answer: Genetic disorder that clogs the respiratory and digestive system with mucus

Q: Data

Answer: Information gathered by documentation

Q: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Answer: A double stranded helical molecule that stores genetic information for the production of proteins

Q: Diabetes

Answer: A disorder affecting the uptake of sugar by cells due to inadequate insulin production or ineffective use of insulin

Q: E.coli

Answer: A rod-shaped bacterium native to the intestines of mammals; commonly used in genetics researched and by biotechnology companies for the development of products

Q: Efficacy

Answer: The ability to yield a desired result or demonstrate that a product does what it claims to do

Q: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Answer: The federal agency that enforces environmental laws

Q: Ethics

Answer: The study of moral standards and how they affect conduct

Q: Fermentation

Answer: A process by which, in an oxygen deprived environment, a cell converts sugar into lactic acid or ethanol

Q: Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Answer: The federal agency that regulates the use and production of food, feed, food additives, veterinary drugs, human drugs, and medical devices

Q: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

Answer: An organism produced by genetic engineering that contains DNA from another organism and produces new proteins encoded on the acquire DNA

Q: Genetics

Answer: The study of genes and how they are inherited and expressed

Q: Genome

Answer: One entire set if an organism’s genetic material

Q: Microbial agents

Answer: Synonym for microorganisms; living things too small to be seen without he aid of a microscope, includes bacteria, most algae, and many fungi

Q: Human Genome Project

Answer: A collaborative international effort to sequence and map all the DNA on the 23 human chromosomes; completed in 2000

Q: Insulin

Answer: A protein that facilitates the uptake of sugar into cells from blood

Q: Journals

Answer: Scientific periodicals or magazines in which scientists publish their experimental work, findings, or conclusions

Q: Large-scale production

Answer: the manufacturing of large volumes of a product

Q: Fluorometer

Answer: An instrument that measures the amount or type of light emitted.

Q: Organism

Answer: A living thing.

Q: Multicellular

Answer: Composed of more than one cell.

Q: Cytology

Answer: Cell biology.

Q: Anatomy

Answer: The structure and organization of living things.

Q: Physiology

Answer: The processes and functions of living things.

Q: Respiration

Answer: The breaking down of food molecules with the result of generating energy for the cell.

Q: Unicellular

Answer: Composed of one cell.

Q: Tissue

Answer: A group of cells that function together.

Q: Organ

Answer: Tissues that act together to form a specific function in an organism.

Q: Proteins

Answer: One of the four classes of macromolecules; folded, functional polypeptides that conduct various functions within and around a cell.

Q: Eukaryote

Answer: A cell that contains membrane-bound organelles.

Q: Protist

Answer: An organism belonging to the Kingdom Protista, which includes protozoans, slime molds, and certain algae.

Q: Organelles

Answer: Specialized microscopic factories, each with specific jobs in the cell.

Q: Mitochondria

Answer: The membrane-bound organelles that are responsible for generating cellular energy.

Q: Sugar

Answer: A simple carbohydrate molecule composed of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen.

Q: Starch

Answer: A polysaccharide that is composed of many glucose molecules.

Q: Nucleic acids

Answer: A class of macromolecules that directs the synthesis of all other cellular molecules; often referred to as “information-carrying molecules.”

Q: Lipids

Answer: One of the four macromolecules; includes fats, waxes, steroids, and oils.

Q: Pancreas

Answer: An organ that secretes digestive fluids, as well as insulin.

Q: Hormone

Answer: A molecule that acts to regulate cellular functions.

Q: Chlorophyll

Answer: The green-pigmented molecules found in plant cells; used for photosynthesis.

Q: Photosynthesis

Answer: A process by which plants or algae use light energy to make chemical energy.

Q: Chloroplast

Answer: The specialized organelles in plants responsible for photosynthesis.

Q: Cytoplasm

Answer: A gel-like fluid of thousands of molecules suspended in water, outside the nucleus.

Q: Lysosome

Answer: A membrane-bound organelle that is responsible for the breakdown of cellular waste.

Q: Ribosome

Answer: The organelle in a cell where proteins are made.

Q: Cell wall

Answer: A specialized organelle surrounding the cells of plants, bacteria, and some fungi; gives support around the outer boundary of the cell.

Q: Cellulose

Answer: A structural polysaccharide that is found in plant cell walls.

Q: Plasma membrane

Answer: A specialized organelle of the cell that regulates the movement of materials into and out of the cell.

Q: Glucose

Answer: A 6-carbon sugar that is produced during photosynthetic reactions; usual form of carbohydrate used by animals, including humans.

Q: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Answer: A nucleotide that serves as an energy storing molecule.

Q: Chromosomes

Answer: The long strands of DNA intertwined with protein molecules.

Q: Enzyme

Answer: A protein that functions to speed up chemical reactions.

Q: Pigments

Answer: The molecules that are colored due to the reflection of light of specific wavelengths.

Q: Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Answer: A class of RNA molecules responsible for transferring genetic information from the chromosomes to ribosomes where proteins are made.

Q: Amino acids

Answer: The subunits of proteins; each contains a central carbon atom attached to an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a distinctive “R” group.

Q: Polypeptide

Answer: A strand of amino acids connected to each other through peptide bonds.

Q: Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells

Answer: An animal cell line commonly used in biotechnology studies.

Q: Vero cells

Answer: African green monkey kidney epithelial cells.

Q: HeLa cells

Answer: Human epithelial cells.

Q: Prokaryote

Answer: A cell that lacks membrane-bound organelles.

Q: Aerobic respiration

Answer: Utilizing oxygen to release the energy from sugar molecules.

Q: Anaerobic respiration

Answer: Releasing the energy from sugar molecules in the absence of oxygen.

Q: Macromolecule

Answer: A large molecule usually composed of smaller repeating units chained together.

Q: Organic

Answer: Molecules that contain carbon and are only produced in living things.

Q: Carbohydrates

Answer: One of the four classes of macromolecules; organic compounds consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, generally in a 1:2:1 ratio.

Q: Cytoskeleton

Answer: A protein network in the cytoplasm that gives the cell structural support.

Q: Monomers

Answer: The repeating units that make up polymers.

Q: Polymer

Answer: A large molecule made up of many repeating subunits.

Q: Monosaccharide

Answer: The monomer unit that cells use to build polysaccharides; also known as a “single sugar” or “simple sugar.”

Q: Disaccharide

Answer: A polymer that consists of two sugar molecules.

Q: Polysaccharide

Answer: A long polymer composed of many simple sugar monomers (usually glucose or a variation of glucose).

Q: Fructose

Answer: A 6-carbon sugar found in high concentration in fruits; also called fruit sugar.

Q: Sucrose

Answer: A disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose; also called table sugar.

Q: Lactose

Answer: A disaccharide composed of glucose and galactose; also called milk sugar.

Q: Amylose

Answer: A plant starch with unbranched glucose chains.

Q: Amylopectin

Answer: A plant starch with branched glucose chains.

Q: Glyocogen

Answer: An animal starch with branched glucose chains.

Q: cellular respiration

Answer: The process by which cells break down glucose to create other energy molecules.

Q: hydrophobic

Answer: Repelled by water.

Q: triglycerides

Answer: A group of lipids that includes animal fats and plant oils.

Q: phospholipids

Answer: A class of lipids that are primarily found in membranes of the cell.

Q: hydrophilic

Answer: Having an attraction for water.

Q: steroids

Answer: A group of lipids whose functions include acting as hormones, venoms, and pigments.

Q: R group

Answer: The chemical side-group of an amino acid; in nature, there are 20 different R groups that are found on amino acids.

Q: ribonucleic acid

Answer: The macromolecule that functions in the conversion of genetic instructions (DNA) into proteins.

Q: nucleotides

Answer: The monomer subunits of nucleic acids.

Q: Airborne

Answer: Transported by air

Q: Asepsis

Answer: A condition free of pathogenic organisms

Q: Autoclave

Answer: An apparatus for sterilizing that uses superheated steam under pressure

Q: Bacteria

Answer: Unicellular organisms; disease causing agents

Q: Biohazardous

Answer: Any material that has been in contact with body fluids & is capable of transmitting disease

Q: Bloodborne

Answer: Capable of being transported in blood

Q: CLIA

Answer: Clinical laboratory improvement amendments

Q: Communicable

Answer: Able to be transmitted by contact

Q: Disinfection

Answer: The destruction of pathogenic microorganisms by direct exposure to chemicals or heat

Q: Droplet infection

Answer: An infection acquired by inhaling droplets of saliva or sputum containing viruses

Q: Fecal

Answer: Relation to feces(intestinal ways)

Q: Flora

Answer: Plant life adapted for living in a specific environment

Q: Fungi

Answer: Cellular organisms that subsist on organic matter

Q: Hygiene

Answer: The study of health and observance of health rules

Q: Incubation

Answer: The interval between exposure to infection and the appearance of the first symptom

Q: Invasive

Answer: Diagnostic and treatment procedures involving entry into living tissue

Q: Malaise

Answer: A feeling of discomfort or uneasiness

Q: Microorganism

Answer: A microscopic organism

Q: Nits

Answer: The eggs of a louse or other parasitic infection

Q: OSHA

Answer: Occupational Safety and Health Administrations

Q: Parasites

Answer: An organism that lives on another organism without rendering it any service in return

Q: Pathogens

Answer: Viruses and microorganisms that are capable or causing disease

Q: PPE

Answer: Personal protective equipment

Q: Pruritic

Answer: Itching

Q: Pustular

Answer: A small collection of pus on top layer of skin or beneath

Q: Rickettsiae

Answer: Any shaped bacteria intracellular parasites or arthropods

Q: Resuscitation

Answer: Revival from potential or apparent death

Q: Sanitization

Answer: Washing and scrubbing to remove contaminations

Q: Seizures

Answer: Sudden attacks of pain and disease

Q: Shelf Life

Answer: The length of time that a wrapped instrument will remain sterile after processing

Q: Standard Precaution

Answer: Guidelines for the prevention of infectious diseases

Q: Sterilization

Answer: The destruction of all microorganisms within a confined area

Q: Susceptible

Answer: Having little resistance to a disease or foreign protein

Q: Virulence

Answer: Disease-evoking power of a pathogen

Q: Virus

Answer: Microorganism capable of replicating within living cells

Q: Vulnerable

Answer: Liable to injury or hurt

Q: DNA

Answer: the molecule that carries genetic info in all cells

Q: double helix

Answer: the twisted-ladder shape of DNA

Q: antiparallel

Answer: (adj.) two lines that run parallel, but in opposite directions

Q: nucleic acid

Answer: any organic macromolecule which is made of nucleotides

Q: hydrogen bond

Answer: a type of bond which is very weak, but strong when there are many; holds together the two strands of DNA

Q: base

Answer: A, T, C, G are examples of these molecules which form the ‘rungs’ of the DNA ladder

Q: adenine

Answer: the base that always pairs with T

Q: thymine

Answer: the base that always pairs with adenine

Q: cytosine

Answer: the base that always pairs with guanine

Q: guanine

Answer: the base that always pairs with cytosine

Q: complementary

Answer: (adj) matching; pairing with

Q: uracil

Answer: the base which pairs with adenine in RNA

Q: polymerase

Answer: the enzyme which puts together nucleotides to make a nucleic acid polymer

Q: protein

Answer: An organic compound composed of one or chains of polypeptides which in turn are formed from amino acids

Q: amino acid

Answer: Building blocks of protein

Q: peptide bond

Answer: bond between amino acids

Q: substrate

Answer: The reactant on which an enzyme works.

Q: activation energy

Answer: Energy needed to get a reaction started

Q: catalyst

Answer: A substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction.

Q: amino group

Answer: NH2

Q: carboxyl group

Answer: COOH

Q: functional group

Answer: an atom or group of atoms that is responsible for the specific properties of an organic compound (R)

Q: chemical reaction

Answer: (chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others

Q: active site

Answer: The location in the enzyme that substrate fits within.

Q: denatured

Answer: Change the shape of an enzyme so that it can no longer speed up a reaction.

Q: fertilization

Answer: process in sexual reproduction in which male and female reproductive cells (gametes) join to form a new cell

Q: trait

Answer: specific characteristics of an individual

Q: hybrid

Answer: offspring of crosses between parents with different traits

Q: gene

Answer: a factor that is passed from parent to offspring; sequence of DNA that codes for a protein and thus determines a trait

Q: allele

Answer: one of a number of different forms of a gene

Q: principle of dominance

Answer: Mendel’s second conclusion, which states that some alleles are dominant and others are recessive

Q: segregation

Answer: separation of alleles during formation of the gametes (sex cells)

Q: gamete

Answer: sex cell (i.e. sperm and egg)

Q: probability

Answer: likelihood that a particular event will occur

Q: homozygous

Answer: having two identical alleles for a particular gene

Q: heterozygous

Answer: having two different alleles for a particular gene

Q: phenotype

Answer: physical characteristics of an organism

Q: genotype

Answer: genetic makeup of an organism

Q: Punnett square

Answer: diagram that can be used to predict the genotype and phenotype combinations of a genetic cross

Q: independent assortment

Answer: one of Mendel’s principles that states that genes for different traits can segregate independently during the formation of gametes

Q: incomplete dominance

Answer: situation in which one allele is not completely dominant over another allele; Ex. when Mirabilis flowers inherit a red and white gene and this is expressed as pink flowers.

Q: codominance

Answer: situation in which the phenotypes produced by both alleles are completely expressed; Ex. When a chicken has both black and white feathers expressed.

Q: multiple allele

Answer: a gene that has more than 2 alleles; Ex. the fur color of rabbits which has one gene with 4 alleles – wild type, Chinchilla, Himalayan, albino

Q: polygenic trait

Answer: trait controlled by two or more genes; Ex. eye color in humans

Q: homologous

Answer: term used to refer to chromosomes in which one set comes from the male parent and one set comes from the female parent

Q: diploid

Answer: term used to refer to a cell that contains two sets of homologous chromosomes

Q: haploid

Answer: term used to refer to a cell that contains only a single set of chromosomes or genes

Q: meiosis

Answer: process in which the number of chromosomes per cell is cut in half through the separation of homologous chromosomes in a diploid cell

Q: tetrad

Answer: structure containing four chromatids that forms during meiosis

Q: crossing-over

Answer: process in which homologous chromosomes exchange portions of their chromatids during meiosis

Q: zygote

Answer: fertilized egg, occurs when gametes (sperm and egg) combine

Q: base pairing

Answer: principle that bonds in DNA can form only between adenine (A) and thymine (T) and between guanine (G) and cytosine (C)

Q: replication

Answer: process of copying DNA prior to cell division

Q: DNA polymerase

Answer: the main enzyme involved in DNA replication (copying)

Q: RNA (ribonucleic acid)

Answer: single-stranded nucleic acid that contains the sugar ribose; involved in protein synthesis

Q: messenger RNA

Answer: type of RNA that carries copies of instructions for the creation of amino acids into proteins from DNA to the rest of the cell

Q: RNA polymerase

Answer: enzyme that links together the growing chain of RNA nucleotides during transcription using a DNA strand as a template

Q: genetic code

Answer: a collection of codons of mRNA in an organism, each of which directs the incorporation of a particular amino acid into a protein during protein synthesis

Q: codon

Answer: group of 3 nucleotide bases in mRNA that specify a particular amino acid to be built into a protein

Q: gene expression

Answer: process by which a gene produces its product and the product carries out its function

Q: mutation

Answer: change in the genetic material of a cell

Q: mutagen

Answer: chemical or physical agents in the environment that interact with DNA and may cause a mutation

Q: polyploidy

Answer: condition in which an organism has extra sets of chromosomes

Q: genome

Answer: entire set of genetic information that an organism carries in its DNA

Q: karyotype

Answer: micrograph (small picture) of the complete diploid set of chromosomes grouped together in pairs, arranged in order of decreasing size

Q: sex chromosome

Answer: one of two chromosomes that determines an individual’s sex (usually X or Y)

Q: autosome

Answer: chromosome that is not a sex chromosome

Q: sex-linked gene

Answer: gene located on a sex chromosome (X or Y)

Q: pedigree

Answer: chart that shows the presence or absence of a trait according to the relationships within a family across several generations

Q: nondisjunction

Answer: error in meiosis in which the homologous chromosomes fail to separate properly; cause cause fewer or more chromosomes than normal, causing genetic disorders or death

Q: restriction enzyme

Answer: enzyme that cuts DNA into pieces at a sequence of nucleotides

Q: gel electrophoresis

Answer: procedure used to separate and analyze DNA fragments by placing a mixture of DNA fragments at one end of a porous gel and applying an electrical voltage to the gel

Q: selective breeding

Answer: method of breeding that allows only those organisms with desired characteristics to produce the next generation; ex.) creating various breeds of dogs, wild mustard plant into broccoli, cauliflower, etc.

Q: hybridization

Answer: breeding technique that involves crossing dissimilar individuals to bring together the best traits of both organisms; ex.) donkey mating with horse

Q: inbreeding

Answer: continued breeding of individuals with similar characteristics to maintain the same characteristics of a kind of organism

Q: recombinant DNA

Answer: DNA produced by combining DNA from different sources

Q: plasmid

Answer: small, circular piece of DNA located in the cytoplasm of many bacteria

Q: genetic marker

Answer: alleles/genes that produce detectable phenotypic differences useful in genetic analysis; used to tell which bacteria or other organism carries recombinant DNA

Q: clone

Answer: a genetically identical copy of another organism created from the DNA of a donor organism; member of a population of genetically identical cells produced from a single cell

Q: gene therapy

Answer: process of changing a gene to treat a medical disease or disorder. An absent or faulty gene is replaced by a normal working gene.

Q: DNA fingerprinting

Answer: tool used by biologists that analyzes an individual’s unique collection of DNA restriction fragments; used to determine whether two samples of genetic material are from the same person

Q: electrocardiogram

Answer: printout of the electrical activity of a patients heart

Q: echochardiogram

Answer: image of the heart made by using sound waves.

Q: CT scan

Answer: shows cross sections of the body

Q: Chromosome

Answer: a chain of DNA that is found in the nucleus of cells

Q: A-T and C-G

Answer: base pairs in DNA

Q: bioinformatics

Answer: the science of managing and analyzing biological data using advanced computers. Especially important in analyzing genomic research data

Q: cell

Answer: the basic unit of any living organism that carries on the biochemical processes of life

Q: forensics

Answer: The use of DNA for indentification

Q: genetic map

Answer: a map of the relative positions of genes on a chromosome

Q: nucleus

Answer: the cellular organelle that contains most of the genetic material

Q: nucleotide

Answer: in a nucleic-acid chain, a subunit that consists of a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogenous base

Q: deoxyribose

Answer: a five-carbon sugar that is a component of DNA nucleotides

Q: nitrogenous base

Answer: an organic base that contains nitrogen, such as a purine or pyrimidine; a subunit of a nucleotide in DNA and RNA

Q: purine

Answer: a nitrogenous base that has a double-ring structure; one of the two general categories of nitrogenous bases found in DNA and RNA; either adenine or guanine

Q: pyrimidine

Answer: a nitrogenous base that has a single-ring structure; one of the two general categories of nitrogenous bases found in DNA and RNA; thymine, cytosine, or uracil

Q: base pairing rules

Answer: the rules stating that in DNA cytosine pairs with guanine and adenine pairs with thymine and that in RNA cytosine pairs with guanine and adenine pairs with uracil

Q: complementary base pair

Answer: the nucleotide bases in one strand of DNA or RNA that are paired with those of another strand; adenine pairs with thymine or uracil, and guanine pairs with cytosine

Q: base sequence

Answer: the order of nitrogenous bases on a DNA chain

Q: DNA replication

Answer: the process of making a copy of DNA

Q: helicase

Answer: an enzyme that separates DNA strands

Q: replication fork

Answer: a Y-shaped point that results when the two strands of a DNA double helix separate so that the DNA molecule can be replicated

Q: semi-conservative replication

Answer: in each new DNA double helix, one strand is from the original molecule, and one strand is new

Q: RNA

Answer: a natural polymer that is present in all living cells and that plays a role in protein synthesis; ribonucleic acid

Q: transcription

Answer: the process of forming a nucleic acid by using another molecule as a template; particularly the process of synthesizing RNA by using one strand of a DNA molecule as a template

Q: translation

Answer: the portion of protein synthesis that takes place at ribosomes and that uses the codons in mRNA molecules to specify the sequence of amino acids in polypeptide chains

Q: protein synthesis

Answer: the formation of proteins by using information contained in DNA and carried by RNA

Q: ribose

Answer: a five-carbon sugar present in RNA

Q: mRNA

Answer: a single-stranded RNA molecule that encodes the information to make a protein

Q: rRNA

Answer: an organelle that contains most of the RNA in the cell and that is responsible for ribosome function; ribosomal RNA

Q: tRNA

Answer: transfers amino acids to the ribosome to make protein.

Q: promoter

Answer: a nucleotide sequence on a DNA molecule to which an RNA polymerase molecule binds, which initiates the transcription of a specific gene

Q: termination signal

Answer: a specific sequence of nucleotides that marks the end of a gene

Q: anticodon

Answer: a region of a tRNA molecule that consists of a sequence of three bases that is complementary to an mRNA codon

Q: Virulent

Answer: strain of bacteria

Q: transformation

Answer: transfer of genetic material from one cell to another cell or from one organism to another organism

Q: bacteriophage

Answer: viruses that infect bacteria

Q: 3 major renal functions

Answer: glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, tubular secretion

Q: Glomerular filtration

Answer: pressure, negative charge and size of molecule

Q: Tubular reabsorption

Answer: active and passive transport, renal threshold

Q: Tubular secretion

Answer: elimination of waste, regulation of acid/ base balance

Q: Urea

Answer: 45% of plasma, primary test for renal function

Q: Uric Acid

Answer: 10% of plasma, secondary for assessing renal function

Q: Creatinine

Answer: 5% of plasma, primary test for renal function

Q: Creatine

Answer: 1-2% of plasma, not used to assess renal function

Q: Lesch nyhan disorder

Answer: Purine metabolism defect (orange sand)

Q: plasma

Answer: fluid portion of blood (No RBC, WBC, & platelets)

Q: serum

Answer: fluid portion of blood after clotting (No clotting factors)

Q: buffy coat

Answer: contains WBC & platelets

Q: HGB

Answer: hemoglobin

Q: MCV

Answer: mean corpuscular volume(measures size of RBC)

Q: MCH

Answer: mean corpuscular hemoglobin(measures weight of hemoglobin in average RBC)

Q: MCHC

Answer: mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration(measures amount of hemoglobin per average RBC)

Q: reticulocytes

Answer: immature RBC

Q: anisocytosis

Answer: variation in size of RBCnormal for cattle

Q: microcytic

Answer: cells smaller than normal

Q: macrocytic

Answer: cells larger than normal

Q: poikilocytosis

Answer: changes in RBC shape

Q: acanthocyte

Answer: multiple, irregular, club-shaped projections from cell surface

Q: crenated cells

Answer: numerous, rounded, evenly distributed projections from cell surface

Q: polychromasia

Answer: variation in color of RBCssuggests bone marrow response to anemia

Q: hypochromatic

Answer: increased area of central palloriron deficiency

Q: hyperchromatic

Answer: does not occur in RBCs

Q: rouleaux

Answer: groupings of RBCs that resemble stacked coins

Q: agglutination

Answer: clumping of RBCslife threatening

Q: eosinophils

Answer: -stain reddish-orange- control allergic or anaphylactic hypersensitivity reactions

Q: basophils

Answer: -stain bluish-purple- nucleus is similar to monocytes

Q: neutrophils

Answer: have clear granules

Q: -phils

Answer: have segmented nuclei

Q: -cytes

Answer: have round or oval nuclei

Q: left shift

Answer: indicative of dz process, mature neutrophils are still present

Q: monocytes

Answer: -phagocytize cellular debris & large particles that neutrophils cannot handle- larger than lymphocyte or neutrophil

Q: lymphocytes

Answer: -nucleus dominates the cell so only a thin rim of light blue cytoplasm is visible surrounding the nucleus-present during periods of antigenic stimulation in all species

Q: bone marrow eval

Answer: performed when unexplainable results are present in CBC

Q: mechanical phase

Answer: trauma to vessel occurs

Q: chemical phase

Answer: platelets release chemicals that trigger the clotting cascade until clot is formed

Q: Eugenics:

Answer: Choosing the traits of unborn children

Q: Where do most biotechnologist work?

Answer: Private biotechnology companies