BIOSCIENCE.

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
Genome
The haploid set of chromosomes in a gamete or microorganism or in each cell of a multicellular organism.
  • the complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism.
Synonyms - Genomes
Genome

The total of a person's genetic information
Genetic Counseling

Process of determining the risk of a particular genetic disorder occurring within a family and providing information and advice based on that determination
Gene Sequence

Section of genetic code; particular arrangement of nucleotides along a segment of DNA on a chromosome
Gene expression

Properties exhibited by an organism due to genes present in cells
Gene

Basic unit of genetic material; in humans, a segment of DNA on a chromosome that usually codes for the production of a specific protein
Ganglioside

Type of substance found on the surface of cells, particularly in the brain, that is important in cell-to-cell communication
Galactorrhea

Breast milk production that occurs without pregnancy
Furuncle

Also known as: Boil


A painful, inflamed area of skin with a defined border, collection of pus and a hard central core usually caused by a bacterial infection of a hair follicle and surrounding tissue
Fungus

Plural: Fungi


One of the four major groups of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi) that occurs in nature as a yeast (small unicellular structure similar to bacteria) or a mold (large filamentous forms that may be seen with the naked eye)
Functional Testing

Also known as: Activity testing


Functional testing is used to determine whether or not a specific substance is properly performing its biological role in the body and to what extent. This testing can determine how well a specific coagulation factor is performing its role in the coagulation cascade; for example, normal amounts of fibrinogen can be present, but if not working properly, abnormal coagulation results. Functional testing can also determine the correct level of activity of other substances such as hormones and enzymes.
Fragile X Syndrome

The most common inherited cause of mental retardation; takes its name from the appearance of the stained X chromosome under a microscope – there is a site near the end of this chromosome that does not stain, indicating its fragility. The gene in the fragile region is important in making a special protein needed by developing brain cells.
Folliculitis

Infected hair follicles
Fluorescent Microscope
A fluorescence microscope is an optical microscope that uses fluorescence and phosphorescence instead of or in addition to reflection and absorption to study properties of organic or inorganic substances. The 'fluorescence microscope' refers to any microscope that uses fluorescence to generate an image whether it is a more simple set up like an epifluorescence microscope or a more complicated design such as a confocal microscope which uses optical sectioning to get better resolution of the fluorescent image.
Synonyms - Fluorescent Microscopy Fluorescence Microscope Fluorescence Microscopy
Fibrosis

Abnormal formation of tissue that is tough, sinewy, resembling fibers