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 PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Main Article |  Glossary |  PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Index 

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Glossary of Terms

The following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) article.

Amplification: Making multiple copies of a gene or of any sequence of DNA . Repeated copying of a piece of DNA.
See the entire definition of Amplification

Bacteria: Single-celled microorganisms which can exist either as independent (free-living) organisms or as parasites (dependent upon another organism for life).
See the entire definition of Bacteria

Biotechnology: The fusion of biology and technology. Biotechnology is the application of biological techniques to product research and development. In particular, biotechnology involves the use by industry of recombinant DNA, cell fusion, and new bioprocessing techniques. Biotechnology is expected to become increasingly important in the 21st century.

cDNA: Complementary DNA. cDNA is single-stranded DNA made in the laboratory from a messenger RNA template under the aegis of the enzyme reverse transcriptase. This form of DNA is often used as a probe in the physical mapping of a chromosome.
See the entire definition of cDNA

Clone: Literally a fragment, the word in modern medical science has come to mean a replica, for example, of a group of bacteria or a macromolecule such as DNA. Clone also refers to an individual developed from a single somatic (non-germ) cell from a parent, representing an exact replica of that parent. A clone is a group of cells derived from a single ancestral cell.

Cloning: The process of making a clone, a genetically identical copy. Cloning can refer to the technique of producing a genetically identical copy of an organism by replacing the nucleus of an unfertilized ovum with the nucleus of a body cell from the organism.
See the entire definition of Cloning

DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid. One of two types of molecules that encode genetic information. (The other is RNA . In humans DNA is the genetic material; RNA is transcribed from it. In some other organisms, RNA is the genetic material and, in reverse fashion, the DNA is transcribed from it.)
See the entire definition of DNA

DNA forensics: The application of DNA technology and the knowledge of DNA genetics to the practice of forensic medicine and to the power of legal medicine .
See the entire definition of DNA forensics

Enzyme: A protein (or protein-based molecule) that speeds up a chemical reaction in a living organism. An enzyme acts as catalyst for specific chemical reactions , converting a specific set of reactants (called substrates) into specific products. Without enzymes, life as we know it would not exist.
See the entire definition of Enzyme

Essential: 1. Something that cannot be done without.
2. Required in the diet, because the body cannot make it. As in an essential amino acid or an essential fatty acid.
3. Idiopathic. As in essential hypertension. "Essential" is a hallowed term meaning "We don't know the cause."

Evolution: The continuing process of change, especially in reference to natural selection.
See the entire definition of Evolution

Genetic: Having to do with genes and genetic information.

HIV: Acronym for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus , the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV has also been called the human lymphotropic virus type III, the lymphadenopathy-associated virus and the lymphadenopathy virus . No matter what name is applied, it is a retrovirus. (A retrovirus has an RNA genome and a reverse transcriptase enzyme. Using the reverse transcriptase , the virus uses its RNA as a template for making complementary DNA which can integrate into the DNA of the host organism).
See the entire definition of HIV

Measles : An acute and highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever , runny nose, cough, red eyes, and a spreading skin rash . Measles , also known as rubeola, is a potentially disastrous disease. It can be complicated by ear infections, pneumonia , encephalitis (which can cause convulsions, mental retardation, and even death), the sudden onset of low blood platelet levels with severe bleeding (acute thrombocytopenic purpura), or a chronic brain disease that occurs months to years after an attack of measles (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis).
See the entire definition of Measles

Messenger RNA: The key intermediary in gene expression, translating the DNA's genetic code into the amino acids that make up proteins. Messenger RNA is abbreviated mRNA.

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Molecule: The smallest unit of a substance that can exist alone and retain the character of that substance.

mRNA: Messenger RNA, the key intermediary in gene expression, translating the DNA's genetic code into the amino acids that make up proteins.

Mumps : An acute (sudden, shortlived) viral illness that usually presents with inflammation of the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands. A child with mumps often looks like a chipmunk with a full mouth due to the swelling of the parotids (the salivary glands near the ears).
See the entire definition of Mumps

Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction: Abbreviated RT-PCR. See: RT-PCR.

RNA: Short for ribonucleic acid, a nucleic acid molecule similar to DNA but containing ribose rather than deoxyribose. RNA is formed upon a DNA template. There are several classes of RNA molecules.
See the entire definition of RNA

RT-PCR: RT-PCR (Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) is a highly sensitive technique for the detection and quantitation of mRNA (messenger RNA). The technique consists of two parts:
See the entire definition of RT-PCR

Synthesis: Putting together different entities to make a whole which is new and different. In biochemistry , synthesis refers specifically to the process of building compounds from more elementary substances by means of one or more chemical reactions.
See the entire definition of Synthesis

Transcription: Making an RNA copy from a sequence of DNA (a gene). Transcription is the first step in gene expression.

Tubes: The "tubes" are medically known as the Fallopian tubes. There are two Fallopian tubes, one on each side, which transport the egg from the ovary to the uterus (the womb). The Fallopian tubes have small hair-like projections called cilia on the cells of the lining.
See the entire definition of Tubes

Viral: Of or pertaining to a virus. For example, "My daughter has a viral rash ."
See the entire definition of Viral

Viruses: Small living particles that can infect cells and change how the cells function. Infection with a virus can cause a person to develop symptoms. The disease and symptoms that are caused depend on the type of virus and the type of cells that are infected.

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 PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Main Article |  Glossary |  PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Index 




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PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

What is whooping cough? What is the history of whooping cough?

Whooping cough (pertussis) is an acute, highly contagious respiratory infection that is caused by a bacterium. The term whoop originates from the inflammation and swelling of the laryngeal structures that vibrate when there is a rapid inflow of air during inspiration. The first outbreaks of whooping cough were described in the 16th century. The bacterium responsible for the infection, Bordetella pertussis, was not identified until 1906. The incidence of whooping cough has increased since the 1980s, with epidemics occurring every three to five years in the U.S. In the last epidemic which occurred in 2005, 25,616 cases were reported according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2007, a total of 10,454 cases of whooping cough were reported in the U.S.

Can whooping cough be prevented with a vaccine?

Whooping cough commonly affe...

Read the Whooping Cough (Pertussis) article »










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