Chapter Three

An Introduction to Science

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ALAT Presentations Study Tips

Scientific Fundamentals

Competency in technical skills = an

understanding of basic science & general

scientific concepts and terminology.

Practical aspects essential for the skills required.

General information helps in understanding

research, communicating effectively with

scientists & advancing careers.

Additional study required to develop special skills

needed to perform advanced techniques.

Selected Scientific Terminology

Prefix, Root, & SuffixPrefix is descriptive & appears at the beginning.Root is item being described.Suffix is at end of word & is descriptive.

“Bio” (life), “logy” (study of) = biology (study of life)

“Patho” (disease), pathology = study of disease “Anti–” (against), antibiotic = against life, &

describes a drug that kills bacteria Diabetics = too much glucose in blood =

hyperglycemia =“hyper” (more than) + “glyc” (glucose) + “emia” (blood)

Prefix Root Suffixa –ante -

withoutbefore

biocardio

lifeheart

-algia-cide

painkillings

anti –bi –

againsttwo

cytodermo

cellskin

–ectomy-itis

surgical removalinflammation

con –ecto –

togetheroutside

enterogastro

intestinestomach

–logy-lysis

study ofbreakdown

endo –hemi –

insidehalf

hemohepato

bloodliver

-oma-osis

tumordisease condition

hyper -hypo -

><

lactoneuro

milknerve

-tomy cut into

inter –intra –

betweenwithin

osteooto

boneear

iso –macro –

equallarge

pathopodo

diseasefoot

micro –pseudo -neo –

smallfalsenew

tricho hair

(Image) Prefix, Root and Suffix

Basic Principles of Chemistry

All matter fundamental material called atoms.Atoms make up elements.

Different elements combine and form a molecule.

Elements are shown with standard symbols: carbon (C), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), calcium (Ca), hydrogen

(H), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe)

Atoms combine to form molecules such as:

O2 = oxygen found in air

H2O = a water molecule

CO2 = carbon dioxide

More Chemistry

Interaction of atomsmetabolism of food, interaction of

an antibiotic, toxicity of medicine

involve chemical reactions

Chemical reactions in living things = biochemistry. Chemical interactions in normal animals, in a

dynamic balance, called homeostasis. Incorrect environment or errors can cause changes

in homeostasis. Recognize that SOPs, treatments, feeds and

dosages are meant to reduce unwanted chemical impacts on research data.

Weights and Measures

Metric system is based on powers of 10.units are gram (g), meter (m), and liter (l)

Prefix units indicate multiples or fractions, i.e.: 1 milli = 1/1,000; centi =1/100; deci = 1/10; kilo = 1,000

1 mg = 1/1,000 of a gram, and 1 kg = 1,000 grams1 ml = 1/1,000 of a liter, and a 1 kl = 1,000 liters1 mm =1/1,000 meter, and 1 km = 1,000 meters

Conversions:1 inch = 2.5 centimeters1 meter is little longer than three feet1 liter is about the size of a quart1 milliliter is about 20 drops15 grams is about a half ounce1 kg = 2.2 pounds

Temperature

Fahrenheit and Celsius Celsius = centigrade, 100 degrees separate

freezing and boiling water Fahrenheit to Celsius: °C = 5/9 (°F - 32)

180°F to Celsius scale:

°C = 5/9 (180° - 32) = 5/9 x 14 = 740/9 = 82.2°C

Celsius to Fahrenheit: °F = 9/5 (°C) + 3241°C to Fahrenheit:

°F = 9/5 (41°) + 32 = 73.8 + 32 = 105.8°F

To use decimals to make these conversions, the formulas are: °C = (°F- 32 )/ 1.8 °F = (1.8 x °C) + 32

More Weights and Measures

Other common temperature conversions that

should be committed to memory include:

 72°F = 22°C.

 39°F = 4°C.*

 32°F = 0°C.

 212°F = 100°C.

 98.6°F = 37°C.

*(corrected)

Additional Reading

McBride, Doug. Learning Veterinary Terminology, Mosby-Year Book, Inc., St. Louis, MO. 1996.