Test your basic knowledge |

Introduction To Health Sciences Vocab

Subject : health-sciences
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The standard scientific (SI) unit for measuring volume; it has the symbol l.






2. Microbes that cause disease.






3. A complex specialised molecule embedded in the outer membrane of a cell - or in its internal structure - which has a unique three-dimensional shape and patterns of electrical charge that enable it to bind specifically to a particular signalling molec






4. Pain that is triggered by a stimulus that causes actual or potential damage to the tissues of the body.






5. The transparent gelatinous fluid within the eyeball (between the lens and the retina).






6. Long chain-like molecules (polymers) made from smaller molecules called amino acids joined by chemical bonds. The chains fold up into complex shapes giving them a wide range of functions. Major constituent of all organisms.






7. In screening - a person whose screening test result is positive (indicating disease) - but who actually does not have the disease.






8. A change in the sequences of bases in the DNA of an organism - resulting in an alteration in the manufacture or function of a body protein. Also refers to the process by which such a change in DNA sequence occurs due to the action of a mutagen - e.g.






9. A bundle of the axons of neurons in the peripheral nervous system. (Occasionally employed informally to refer to a bundle of axons within the central nervous system.)






10. A subunit of the scientific unit of volume - the litre. One litre can be divided into 1000 of these.






11. A protein that is abundant in the extracellular matrix and can form long thin fibres to provide structure to many tissues.






12. A class of neuron that detects the presence of stimuli in the world - such as tactile events - heat - cold or tissue damage.






13. Contains protons - each of which carry a single positive electric charge - and neutrons which are uncharged.






14. Condition in which the full range of colours cannot be clearly distinguished.






15. A cancer that has the ability to spread or metastasise into healthy tissue. (also known as 'malignant' cancer)






16. Diseases or disorders that develop as a result of the interaction over time of a combination of different risk factors - none of which on its own would be likely to cause the disease. These may include the inheritance of certain gene mutations from a






17. A test that evaluates how well the lungs work; also known as a pulmonary function test.






18. Colours of light (red - blue and green) which - when added together - make white light.






19. Haemoglobin bound to oxygen molecules. Transports oxygen from blood vessels in the lungs to the cells in the rest of the body.






20. The build-up of levels of a chemical contaminant in the bodies of animals at successive levels in a food chain.






21. A multi-disciplinary programme of care for patients with chronic respiratory conditions - Which is tailored to the individual and combines exercise and education to address all aspects of living with the condition.






22. A lens shape with a greater thickness at the centre than at each end.






23. A disease in which an excessive loss of bone structure occurs.






24. Pain that appears to arise in a part of the body that no longer exists - e.g. in a limb that has been amputated.






25. Screening that takes place haphazardly when an opportunity arises - for example - when a patient consults a doctor about something unrelated and is referred for a screening test.






26. A muscular wall separating the chest (thoracic) cavity from the abdominal cavity in mammals.






27. A value which can be used to calculate the degree to which X-rays (or other radiation) are reduced in intensity when passing through a material (e.g. human tissue).






28. Disease - disorder or traumatic injury characterised by rapid onset - severe symptoms and short duration - From which the patient either recovers quickly or dies (CS 1 & 6). Some chronic (long-term) conditions can have acute episodes - e.g. exacerbat






29. The opening at the centre of the iris that allows light to enter into the eye.






30. A medically qualified person who has chosen to specialise in clinical radiology - the use of imaging to diagnose - treat and monitor various disease processes.






31. The total number of people who have a disease - disorder or disability at a particular point in time - expressed as a rate per 1000 (or per 10 000 - or per 100 000 or per million) population.






32. A condition that may develop following exposure to an extremely stressful situation - typically where a person witnesses the violent death of someone else - or believes their own life is in danger. Symptoms include disordered sleeping - a dread of si






33. Fuel derived from plant matter or animal waste - e.g. wood - straw - dried animal dung.






34. An epidemic on a world-wide scale.






35. A thick ring of muscle that controls pupil size - thereby regulating the amount of light that enters the eye. It forms the coloured portion of the eye.






36. The total amount of air that can be forcefully expired from fully inflated lungs - abbreviated to FVC.






37. Severe psychological shock.






38. A response to a stimulus or substance (such as alcohol) which occurs rapidly and produces severe - possibly life-threatening - symptoms.






39. A group of steroid hormones produced mainly by the ovaries (some are also produced by fat deposits in the body) - which are responsible for promoting the development and maintenance of female sexual characteristics.






40. The unit of absorbed dose of ionising radiation; 1 Gy = 1 joule per kilogram of tissue.






41. Brain region involved in processing memories and emotional reactions.






42. A cell that is part of a malignant tumour; not subject to the body signals that tell normal cells when to divide or stop dividing - so they multiply in an uncontrolled way.






43. The problem of trying to explain how the subjective feelings of consciousness arise from the physical matter of the brain.






44. Substances in which an interaction or reaction occurs - or in which an event takes place - or chemicals or objects are transported or supported - e.g. a medium through which a wave is transmitted in the refraction of light.






45. Blood vessels that convey blood away from the heart.






46. X-ray imaging of the breast.






47. The type of bone that is less dense (compared with compact bone) and contains struts (trabeculae) to provide strength. It is found within the widened areas inside the ends of the bones.






48. A representation using chemical symbols that shows the order in which the atoms are joined together; e.g. the structural formula of water is shown as HOH.






49. The total volume of gas contained in the lungs after a full inspiration (it is equal to vital capacity plus residual volume). (Abbreviated to TLC)






50. The neuron that stores and releases neurotransmitter at a synapse with another neuron or a muscle cell.