Glossary

amino acids – amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. DNA codes for amino acids. Three nucleotides (segments of the genetic code) make one amino acid. Amino acids are critical to life, and have many functions in the way your body works.

preclinical refers to the early development stage for a new drug, before any testing on humans. This includes they laboratory and animal tests. Preclinical studies will not always show what will happen when people use the drugs, but can provide a guide to serious problems that could occur.

nucleus – the central part of some cells that contains DNA.

null hypothesis – in a study this sometimes just refers to the hypothesis, but more specifically it refers the idea that any difference between 2 study groups has only occurred by chance.

study population – the group of people in a study.