HOSA Veterinary Science Exam 2025

Abscess - -An accumulation of fluid (pus) in a dead space between tissues containing bacteria, white blood cells, and dead tissue. Active immunity - -Disease resistance resulting from exposure of an animal to a pathogen either through disease contraction or vaccination. Active transport - -Process that allows the pumping of a substance into an area of higher concentration. Acute - -Sudden onset Addison's disease - -Disease condition characterized by low levels of cortisol along with lethargy, weakness, weight loss, poor appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. (Also known as hypoadrenocorticism) Adipose tissue - -Fat Alopecia - -Baldness Anabolism - -Cellular reactions that combine smaller molecules into larger ones. Anaphylaxis - -Generalized life-threatening allergic reaction. Anemia - -Low in red blood cells. Anesthetize - -To sedate animals so they lack sensitivity or awareness. Anestrus - -Period when animal is not cycling through estrus. Anthrax - -A bacterial infection with skin, intestinal, and respiratory problems. Antibiotics - -Drugs that fight bacterial infections. Antibodies - -Infection-fighting proteins. Antigen - -Any foreign material that is capable of stimulating an immune response. Antimicrobial - -Agent that hinders the growth of or kills micro organisms. Antioxidant - -Oxidation-inhibiting substance. Antiseptics - -Germicides that can be used on the skin of animals. Appendicular skeleton - -Skeletal portion consisting of limb bones. Arrythmia - -Any change in rate, rhythm, or conduction within the heart. Arteries - -Vessels that transport blood away from the heart. Arthritis - -Disease condition in which the smooth lining of cartilage becomes rough and irregular. Aseptic technique - -General practices used to minimize the risk of infection that may occur following surgery. Ataxia - -Uncoordinated muscle movement Atopy - -Sensitization to foreign antigens Atrophy - -Shrink Autoclave - -Piece of equipment used to sterilize instruments with pressurized steam. Autoimmune disease - -Condition in which the body's immune systems destroys its own cells. Autonomic system - -Involuntary portion of the peripheral nervous system. Autopsy/postmortem - -Examination to determine cause of death; sometimes also referred to as necropsy. Axial skeleton - -Skeletal portion consisting of skull, vertebrae, ribs, and sternum. Azotemia - -Elevation of both urea nitrogen and creatinine in the blood. Bacteriostatic - -Agent that slows the rate of growth of bacteria. Band - -Means of nonsurgical castration in which a band is placed above the testicles, thus cutting off the blood supply, causing atrophy. Basement membrane - -Collection of fibers that ties the epithelial layer to the underlying connective tissue. Benign - -Description of tumor that is localized and will not spread to other areas of the body. Biosecurity - -Practices that protect herd health by preventing the introduction and spread of pathogens. Bloat - -Accumulation of gas in the rumen. Bolt - -Quick consumption of feed. Borborygmi - -The normal noise made within the intestinal tract as gas and fluid move through the tract (this is the noise that in humans is commonly described as stomach growling; singular is borborygmus) Botulism - -Food poisoning resulting from a toxin-producing bacteria. Bronchodilators - -Medications that open the airways. Brucellosis - -A bacterial disease that causes abortions in cattle and flu-like symptoms in humans (human presentation is called undulant fever) Buck - -Male goat. Calorie - -Unit of measure that defines the energy contained within a food. Cancer - -Uncontrolled cell division Cardiac cycle - -One complete contraction and relaxation of the heart. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - -Procedure used to stimulate the heart to deliver oxygen to the lungs. Carnivore - -Animals, such as dogs and cats, that require meat-based diets. Castration - -Removal of testes. Cat scratch fever - -Bacterial disease resulting from a cat scratch, which causes a soreness at the inflicted site, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes. Catabolism - -Cellular reactions that break larger molecules into smaller ones. Caudal - -Refers to the tail. Central nervous system - -Brain and spinal cord.