PLTW Principles of Biomedical Sciences
UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - CORRECT ANSWER - A compound composed of
adenosine and three phosphate groups that supplies energy for many biochemical cellular
processes
Biomolecule - CORRECT ANSWER - A large molecule, or macromolecule, produced by
living organisms. Examples include: nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), carbohydrates, proteins, and
lipids
blood plasma - CORRECT ANSWER - The pale yellow, liquid portion of blood that
consists of water and dissolved substances, including sugars, lipids, metabolic waste products,
amino acids, hormones, and vitamins
blood pressure - CORRECT ANSWER - The pressure that blood exerts upon the walls of
blood vessels, especially arteries, usually measured with a sphygmomanometer and expressed in
millimeters of mercury
Carbohydrate - CORRECT ANSWER - A compound, such as sugar, starch and cellulose,
found in foods and living tissues that can be broken down and used for energy
chemical reaction - CORRECT ANSWER - A process where atoms and/or molecules are
rearranged to transform matter
chief complaint - CORRECT ANSWER - The patient's description of what they feel is
their main health problem
Cholesterol - CORRECT ANSWER - A lipid that is an essential component of animal cell
membranes and acts as a precursor molecule for the synthesis of other biologically important
steroids
, Current History - CORRECT ANSWER - Patient's chief complaint and any other present
health issues, symptoms, and any treatments or tests the patient has recently had or is scheduled
to have related to these conditions. Nutrition, allergies, medication, and health habits, such as
exercise are also part of this
Demeanor - CORRECT ANSWER - Outward behavior or bearing. A doctor might be
cheerful, peaceful, or friendly and put the patient at ease. A doctor who is arrogant or dismissive
might lose a patient's trust
Diagnosis - CORRECT ANSWER - The process of determining which disease or
condition explains a person's symptoms and signs
Empathy - CORRECT ANSWER - The ability to understand and share the feelings of
another person
erythrocyte - CORRECT ANSWER - Hemoglobin-rich, red blood cells that transport
oxygen through a body. These give the red color to vertebrate blood and do not have nuclei
Family History - CORRECT ANSWER - Includes medical information about the patient's
close relatives
Glucagon - CORRECT ANSWER - A hormone secreted by pancreatic endocrine cells that
raises blood glucose levels; an antagonistic hormone to insulin
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) - CORRECT ANSWER -A
set of U.S. national standards that protect an individual's privacy rights related to their personal
medical information
Hematocrit (HCT) - CORRECT ANSWER - The proportion of red blood cells to plasma,
the fluid component, in blood
UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - CORRECT ANSWER - A compound composed of
adenosine and three phosphate groups that supplies energy for many biochemical cellular
processes
Biomolecule - CORRECT ANSWER - A large molecule, or macromolecule, produced by
living organisms. Examples include: nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), carbohydrates, proteins, and
lipids
blood plasma - CORRECT ANSWER - The pale yellow, liquid portion of blood that
consists of water and dissolved substances, including sugars, lipids, metabolic waste products,
amino acids, hormones, and vitamins
blood pressure - CORRECT ANSWER - The pressure that blood exerts upon the walls of
blood vessels, especially arteries, usually measured with a sphygmomanometer and expressed in
millimeters of mercury
Carbohydrate - CORRECT ANSWER - A compound, such as sugar, starch and cellulose,
found in foods and living tissues that can be broken down and used for energy
chemical reaction - CORRECT ANSWER - A process where atoms and/or molecules are
rearranged to transform matter
chief complaint - CORRECT ANSWER - The patient's description of what they feel is
their main health problem
Cholesterol - CORRECT ANSWER - A lipid that is an essential component of animal cell
membranes and acts as a precursor molecule for the synthesis of other biologically important
steroids
, Current History - CORRECT ANSWER - Patient's chief complaint and any other present
health issues, symptoms, and any treatments or tests the patient has recently had or is scheduled
to have related to these conditions. Nutrition, allergies, medication, and health habits, such as
exercise are also part of this
Demeanor - CORRECT ANSWER - Outward behavior or bearing. A doctor might be
cheerful, peaceful, or friendly and put the patient at ease. A doctor who is arrogant or dismissive
might lose a patient's trust
Diagnosis - CORRECT ANSWER - The process of determining which disease or
condition explains a person's symptoms and signs
Empathy - CORRECT ANSWER - The ability to understand and share the feelings of
another person
erythrocyte - CORRECT ANSWER - Hemoglobin-rich, red blood cells that transport
oxygen through a body. These give the red color to vertebrate blood and do not have nuclei
Family History - CORRECT ANSWER - Includes medical information about the patient's
close relatives
Glucagon - CORRECT ANSWER - A hormone secreted by pancreatic endocrine cells that
raises blood glucose levels; an antagonistic hormone to insulin
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) - CORRECT ANSWER -A
set of U.S. national standards that protect an individual's privacy rights related to their personal
medical information
Hematocrit (HCT) - CORRECT ANSWER - The proportion of red blood cells to plasma,
the fluid component, in blood
