PLTW Medical Interventions Unit 1 Exam Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update
2026/2027
Medical Intervention - Answers Any measure whose purpose is to improve health or alter the
course of disease
Medical interventions help maintain health and homeostasis in the body.
Pathogen - Answers A specific causative agent of disease
Outbreak - Answers A sudden rise in the incidence of a disease
Patient Symptoms/Risk Factors Organizer - Answers Chart detailing information about patients'
symptoms and any part of their lifestyle or background that may increase their risk for certain
diseases.
Primer - Answers Complimentary DNA segment that allows the enzyme to bind to the DNA for
DNA replication.
Bioinformatics - Answers The collection, classification, storage, and analysis of biochemical and
biological information using computers especially as applied in molecular genetics and
genomics.
Genome - Answers An organisms genetic material
PCR Amplification - Answers Melt: Highest temp, separates strands
Anneal: Lowest temp, primers attach
Extend: Medium temp, DNA replicates (Polymerase)
Final Extension: Ten minutes at medium temp, ensure DNA has finished replicating
DNA Sequencing - Answers The DNA is placed in order by size (smallest to largest) using gel
electrophoresis or a similar method. It is then tagged by color (using fluorescent markers on the
stoppers of the DNA) as to what nucleotide it represents. The nucleotides in size order are the
DNA sequence. The bacteria can be identified using BLAST
Solute - Answers Substance dissolved in another substance
Solvent - Answers A substance, usually a liquid, in which another substance is dissolved.
Solution - Answers A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances. They may be in any
state of matter.
Concentration - Answers The amount of a specified substance in a unit amount of another
substance
, Antibody - Answers An antigen-binding immunoglobulin, produced by B cells, that functions as
the effector in an immune response
Antigen - Answers A foreign macromolecule that does not belong to the host organism and
elicits an immune response
ELISA - Answers (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbant Assay) A quantitative in vitro test for an
antibody or antigen in which the test material is absorbed on a surface and exposed either to a
complex of an enzyme linked to an antibody specific for the antigen or an enzyme linked to an
anti-immunoglobulin specific for the antibody followed by reaction of the enzyme with a
substrate to yield a colored product corresponding to the concentration of the test material.
ELISA Steps - Answers 1. The sample is added to a plastic well, where the proteins are bound to
the cell wall. A detergent washes away unbound proteins while preventing more proteins from
binding to the cell wall.
2. The Primary Antibody binds to a specific antigen in the cell. Excess is washed away.
3. The Secondary Antibody, which is bound to the enzyme, is added. Excess is washed away.
4. The enzyme substrate is added, causing the liquid to turn blue (oxidation)
Enzyme - Answers A protein serving as a catalyst; a chemical agent that changes the rate of
reaction without being consumed by the reaction
Serial Dilution - Answers A stepwise dilution of a substance in a solution
Nucleoid - Answers Contains the genophore
Plasmid - Answers Small, circular piece of DNA. Located in the cytoplasm and contain
information for antibiotic resistance.
Ribosomes - Answers Produce proteins
Cell Wall - Answers Differ between Gram-Positive (no outer membrane, stains blue) and Gram-
Negative (stains red, contains a second membrane)
Plasma Membrane - Answers Found in the envelope, protects the cell and controls what goes in
and out.
Capsule - Answers Most outer layer of the cell, protects it from phagocytosis (white blood cells)
Flagella - Answers Responsible for movement
Pili - Answers (Fimbriae) Hollow hair-like structures that extend from the cell and allow it to
attach to other cells
Endotoxins - Answers Bacterial toxins, found in the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria. They are
2026/2027
Medical Intervention - Answers Any measure whose purpose is to improve health or alter the
course of disease
Medical interventions help maintain health and homeostasis in the body.
Pathogen - Answers A specific causative agent of disease
Outbreak - Answers A sudden rise in the incidence of a disease
Patient Symptoms/Risk Factors Organizer - Answers Chart detailing information about patients'
symptoms and any part of their lifestyle or background that may increase their risk for certain
diseases.
Primer - Answers Complimentary DNA segment that allows the enzyme to bind to the DNA for
DNA replication.
Bioinformatics - Answers The collection, classification, storage, and analysis of biochemical and
biological information using computers especially as applied in molecular genetics and
genomics.
Genome - Answers An organisms genetic material
PCR Amplification - Answers Melt: Highest temp, separates strands
Anneal: Lowest temp, primers attach
Extend: Medium temp, DNA replicates (Polymerase)
Final Extension: Ten minutes at medium temp, ensure DNA has finished replicating
DNA Sequencing - Answers The DNA is placed in order by size (smallest to largest) using gel
electrophoresis or a similar method. It is then tagged by color (using fluorescent markers on the
stoppers of the DNA) as to what nucleotide it represents. The nucleotides in size order are the
DNA sequence. The bacteria can be identified using BLAST
Solute - Answers Substance dissolved in another substance
Solvent - Answers A substance, usually a liquid, in which another substance is dissolved.
Solution - Answers A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances. They may be in any
state of matter.
Concentration - Answers The amount of a specified substance in a unit amount of another
substance
, Antibody - Answers An antigen-binding immunoglobulin, produced by B cells, that functions as
the effector in an immune response
Antigen - Answers A foreign macromolecule that does not belong to the host organism and
elicits an immune response
ELISA - Answers (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbant Assay) A quantitative in vitro test for an
antibody or antigen in which the test material is absorbed on a surface and exposed either to a
complex of an enzyme linked to an antibody specific for the antigen or an enzyme linked to an
anti-immunoglobulin specific for the antibody followed by reaction of the enzyme with a
substrate to yield a colored product corresponding to the concentration of the test material.
ELISA Steps - Answers 1. The sample is added to a plastic well, where the proteins are bound to
the cell wall. A detergent washes away unbound proteins while preventing more proteins from
binding to the cell wall.
2. The Primary Antibody binds to a specific antigen in the cell. Excess is washed away.
3. The Secondary Antibody, which is bound to the enzyme, is added. Excess is washed away.
4. The enzyme substrate is added, causing the liquid to turn blue (oxidation)
Enzyme - Answers A protein serving as a catalyst; a chemical agent that changes the rate of
reaction without being consumed by the reaction
Serial Dilution - Answers A stepwise dilution of a substance in a solution
Nucleoid - Answers Contains the genophore
Plasmid - Answers Small, circular piece of DNA. Located in the cytoplasm and contain
information for antibiotic resistance.
Ribosomes - Answers Produce proteins
Cell Wall - Answers Differ between Gram-Positive (no outer membrane, stains blue) and Gram-
Negative (stains red, contains a second membrane)
Plasma Membrane - Answers Found in the envelope, protects the cell and controls what goes in
and out.
Capsule - Answers Most outer layer of the cell, protects it from phagocytosis (white blood cells)
Flagella - Answers Responsible for movement
Pili - Answers (Fimbriae) Hollow hair-like structures that extend from the cell and allow it to
attach to other cells
Endotoxins - Answers Bacterial toxins, found in the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria. They are
