Glossary

BioScience.com.pk try the best to avoid the use of medical terms that could make it more difficult to understand the information on this website. Still, there are a number of terms that can’t be avoided and that are useful to know because they are so often used by the doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals with whom you might speak. The list below includes the terms used on BioScience.com.pk for which we have provided definitions.

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Term Definition
Amplification

1) In molecular diagnostics, a process by which multiple copies of genetic material (RNA, DNA) are generated so as to produce adequate levels of the target to be detected or quantitated

2) The process by which the signal from a detection system is increased so as to improve detection or quantitation of an analyte of interest, such as genes or drugs

3) When there is more than the normal number of copies of a gene or genes in a cell, as in tumor cells, the gene is said to be amplified.
Amniotic fluid

Fluid surrounding and supporting a fetus
Amino Acid

One of a group of chemical compounds (organic acids) that have an amino group (NH2); many are the building blocks of proteins.
Amenorrhea
Ambiguous genitalia

Sex organs (genitals) that are not distinctly male or female in appearance. It is a condition present at birth (congenital) that results from a disruption in the formation of sex organs during fetal development.
Alopecia
Allergen

Substance (e.g., ragweed pollen) that can cause an allergy
Allele

Any one of the possible alternative forms in which a specific gene can occur
Alkalosis

A condition in which a there is a shift in the acid-base balance of the body to have more base than normal, often causing the pH of the blood and body tissues to rise above the healthy range (7.35-7.45). It may have respiratory causes such as hyperventilation and pneumonia or metabolic causes such as prolonged vomiting and severe dehydration.
Afibrinogenemia

The absence of fibrinogen production
Aerobic

Living or occurring in an oxygen-rich environment
Adrenal Gland

Also known as: Suprarenal gland


One of a pair of glands located above each kidney that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream. Each gland has two parts that perform different functions.
1. The adrenal cortex produces and secretes hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone and sex steroids. They are involved in many different body functions.
2. The adrenal medulla produces and secretes catecholamines such as adrenaline (epinephrine) and norepinephrine.
Adjuvant therapy

Treatment used to assist a primary therapy (such as surgery) in the prevention, improvement, or cure of a disease (such as adjuvant chemotherapy in cancer)
Adenomatous polyp

Also known as: Tubular adenoma


Abnormal growth of cells that form the glands in the lining of the colon or rectum; while benign, may become cancerous over time
Acute Sample

In the clinical laboratory, pertaining to samples taken at a time when a patient initially exhibits signs and symptoms of a disease or condition