Medical history
A discussion between the physician and patient during which the physician tries to get important information associated with the condition of a patient from birth to the present. A medical history consists of current diseases, personal history, family history, and employment and social history.
Base
A basic unit of DNA. DNA consists of four various types of bases, of which two and two are complementary (adenine with thymine and cytosine with guanine) and they are coupled in DNA. Three successive bases create a code for the aminoacid of a protein.
Benign
A benign formation that does not pass to the surrounding tissues and other parts of the body.
Protein
A large molecule that consists of aminoacids. There is a high number of proteins in the body. They have a different structure based on the genes by which they are coded. They are the basis for the structure, function and regulation of the body. They are, for example, hormones, enzymes and antibodies.
Cell
Basic unit of the living tissue. Small, surrounded by a membrane with a nucleus and genetic material inside.
Hereditary trait
A trait transferred from the parents to offspring.
DNA
Deoxyribonukleotid acid – a carrier of genetic information that is contained in the nucleus of each cell. This information is necessary for division of the cells and production of proteins.
Sequencing of DNA
A method for determination of the exact sequence of bases in a certain part of the DNA chain.
Gene
A part of DNA with a specific function. The gene is able to produce its exact copies, which are transferred to the next generations.
Genome
Total DNA of one organism. It is investigated by genomics.
Genetic analysis
Analysis of DNA – a carrier of genetic information – to find the presence of an embryonic mutation causing diseases or the disposition for a disease.
Genetic marker
A change in the DNA sequence which is a carrier of information for the development of the relevant disease.
Genetic predisposition dispozice
A genetical predisposition to a disease.
Predictive genetic testing
This determines in a healthy individual whether he/she inherited an impaired gene and is at risk of development of a diseases in the future.
Genetics
A scientific branch that studies inheritance, how the individual traits are transferred from the parents to their offspring.
Predictive genetics
A scientific branch whose goal is to predict the risks of particular diseases on the basis of genetic analysis (genetic predispositions).
Hereditary
Hereditary trait, transferred from the parents to offspring.
Chromosome
Functional unit of the hereditary record of the genetic information in the cell that is able to work independently during the transfer of information.
Clinical studies
Research studies in which a patient particiaptes after previous consent. Each such projects is aimed at verifying a scientific assumption and at finding better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases.
A clone of cells
A group of identical cells which develop from one parent cell.
Lymphatic system
Tissues and organs (they include bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lympatic vessels and nodes) which create and retain the cells which take part in the imunological processes in the organism.
Malignant
Deleterious.
Gene mutation
A change of DNA sequence that causes a change of the function of the gene and a subsequent disease.
Pathogenic mutation
An error in the gene that causes impairment of the production of a protein and hence certain clinical symptoms.
DNA polymorphism
A change of the DNA sequence – a polymorphous part of DNA among the individuals of the same population may cause a change of the function of the gene.
Primary prophylaxis
This is focused on healthy people. Its purpose is to prevent health problems. It is not concerned solely with the development of diseases but also with improvement of the health state which results in improvement of the quality of life. It eliminates or strives for reduction of exposure to risk factors. It supports activities which result in positive changes of lifestyle.
Secondary prophylaxis
This is focused on early determination of an underlying disease. It has to prevent the development of diseases and determine the diagnosis in the phase when the disease is curable.
Prognosis
Possible development of a disease and the chances of a patient for recovery.
Risk
A possibility that exposure to certain undesirable factors affects the possibility of development of a particular cancer disease. There are several types of risks.
Risk factor
This increases the possibility of development of a disease.
RNA
Ribonucleotid acid – consists of one strand and copies the genetic information from DNA to the final protein.
Smear from the bucal mucose membrane
Painless smear from the oral cavity, using a sponge and performed to collect superficial cells from the mucous membrane and subsequent isolation of DNA.
Germ cell
Sperm or ovum which are the cells necessary for reproduction.
Germ or inherited mutation
A change of a gene that was transferred by a germ cell from the parent to the offspring and is present in all cells of the offspring.
Acquired mutation
A change of a gene that occurred in singe cells of the body during the lifetime.
