PLTW - Medical Interventions Final Exam
Study Guide
What is a medical intervention? - Correct Answers -Any measure whose purpose is to
improve health or alter the course of a disease
What are the main categories of interventions that function to maintain human health? -
Correct Answers -Treatments, Diagnostics and Equipment
How do scientists gather evidence during the potential outbreak of an infectious
disease? - Correct Answers -1. Record patient's symptoms and find similarities with
other patients
2. Isolate the bacteria in a lab
3. Go to affected areas and determine the origin of the disease
4. Identify the disease using DNA sequencing since pathogens alter certain DNA
sequences
Newborn Screening - Correct Answers -The analysis of a neonate's blood for metabolic
or genetic disorders to or gent metal retardation, disability or death.
Polymerase Chain Reaction - Correct Answers -A technique that involves copying short
pieces of DNA and then making millions of copies in a short period of time.
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis - Correct Answers -In assisted reproductive
technology, the determination of genetic abnormalities in the embryo before it is
transferred to the uterus.
Supernatant - Correct Answers -The usually clear liquid left behind after a precipitate
has been spun down to the bottom of a vessel by centrifugation.
Taq Polymerase - Correct Answers -A DNA synthesis enzyme that can withstand the
high temperatures of PCR.
What is bioinformatics? - Correct Answers -The collection, classification, storage, and
analysis of biochemical and biological information using computers. (Especially applied
in molecular genetics and genomics)
How can DNA sequences be used to identify disease pathogens? - Correct Answers -
You can observe mutations and abnormalities that disease pathogens have
, What is an antibody? - Correct Answers -A blood protein in the body produced by B-
cells (B-Lymphocytes) that fight against a foreign substance by recognizing a specific
part of it.
How do antibodies identify and inactivate antigens? - Correct Answers -1. Shape
recognition
2. Proteins of the antigens are configured to specific antibodies, so the foreign antigens
bind to the specific antibodies that inactivate them
How can the ELISA assay be used to detect disease? - Correct Answers -1. Primary
antibodies attach to specific antigen
2. Secondary antibody attaches to primary antibody
3. When enzyme substrate is added, color change occurs
Why is it important for doctors to know the concentration of the disease antigen present
in a patient's system? - Correct Answers -Higher concentration = closer to patient zero
Patient Zero - Correct Answers -The first person to be infected with a particular disease
What steps do scientists take to diagnose, treat, and prevent future spread of a disease
outbreak? - Correct Answers -1. Record the symptoms
2. Locate the origin of the pathogen
3. Run tests to determine antibodies and antigens
4. Take preventative measures (quarantine, wash hands often, etc.)
How were the following used in managing the outbreak on Sue Smith's campus:
PCR, Bioinformatics/BLAST, and ELISA? - Correct Answers -These tests determine the
concentration of the disease, which lead to the source of the outbreak
Which part of the bacterial cell allows the bacteria to attach to specific surfaces? -
Correct Answers -Adhesins, or cell-surface components/appendages of the bacteria
that facilitate attachment to other cells or surfaces
Which bacterial structure is involved with protein synthesis? - Correct Answers -rRNA,
tRNA, and mRNA (Ribosomal, Transfer, Messenger)
What is an endotoxin? - Correct Answers -A toxin that is inherently present inside a
bacterial cell
What is the structural difference between Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria? -
Correct Answers -Gram positive:
•Purple
•Thick cell wall
Gram negative:
•Pink
Study Guide
What is a medical intervention? - Correct Answers -Any measure whose purpose is to
improve health or alter the course of a disease
What are the main categories of interventions that function to maintain human health? -
Correct Answers -Treatments, Diagnostics and Equipment
How do scientists gather evidence during the potential outbreak of an infectious
disease? - Correct Answers -1. Record patient's symptoms and find similarities with
other patients
2. Isolate the bacteria in a lab
3. Go to affected areas and determine the origin of the disease
4. Identify the disease using DNA sequencing since pathogens alter certain DNA
sequences
Newborn Screening - Correct Answers -The analysis of a neonate's blood for metabolic
or genetic disorders to or gent metal retardation, disability or death.
Polymerase Chain Reaction - Correct Answers -A technique that involves copying short
pieces of DNA and then making millions of copies in a short period of time.
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis - Correct Answers -In assisted reproductive
technology, the determination of genetic abnormalities in the embryo before it is
transferred to the uterus.
Supernatant - Correct Answers -The usually clear liquid left behind after a precipitate
has been spun down to the bottom of a vessel by centrifugation.
Taq Polymerase - Correct Answers -A DNA synthesis enzyme that can withstand the
high temperatures of PCR.
What is bioinformatics? - Correct Answers -The collection, classification, storage, and
analysis of biochemical and biological information using computers. (Especially applied
in molecular genetics and genomics)
How can DNA sequences be used to identify disease pathogens? - Correct Answers -
You can observe mutations and abnormalities that disease pathogens have
, What is an antibody? - Correct Answers -A blood protein in the body produced by B-
cells (B-Lymphocytes) that fight against a foreign substance by recognizing a specific
part of it.
How do antibodies identify and inactivate antigens? - Correct Answers -1. Shape
recognition
2. Proteins of the antigens are configured to specific antibodies, so the foreign antigens
bind to the specific antibodies that inactivate them
How can the ELISA assay be used to detect disease? - Correct Answers -1. Primary
antibodies attach to specific antigen
2. Secondary antibody attaches to primary antibody
3. When enzyme substrate is added, color change occurs
Why is it important for doctors to know the concentration of the disease antigen present
in a patient's system? - Correct Answers -Higher concentration = closer to patient zero
Patient Zero - Correct Answers -The first person to be infected with a particular disease
What steps do scientists take to diagnose, treat, and prevent future spread of a disease
outbreak? - Correct Answers -1. Record the symptoms
2. Locate the origin of the pathogen
3. Run tests to determine antibodies and antigens
4. Take preventative measures (quarantine, wash hands often, etc.)
How were the following used in managing the outbreak on Sue Smith's campus:
PCR, Bioinformatics/BLAST, and ELISA? - Correct Answers -These tests determine the
concentration of the disease, which lead to the source of the outbreak
Which part of the bacterial cell allows the bacteria to attach to specific surfaces? -
Correct Answers -Adhesins, or cell-surface components/appendages of the bacteria
that facilitate attachment to other cells or surfaces
Which bacterial structure is involved with protein synthesis? - Correct Answers -rRNA,
tRNA, and mRNA (Ribosomal, Transfer, Messenger)
What is an endotoxin? - Correct Answers -A toxin that is inherently present inside a
bacterial cell
What is the structural difference between Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria? -
Correct Answers -Gram positive:
•Purple
•Thick cell wall
Gram negative:
•Pink
