Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

What does the term thermolabile mean?

1. Produced by heat

2. Sensitive to heat

3. Insensitive to heat

4. Activated by heat

The correct answer is: Sensitive to heat

The term thermolabile specifically refers to substances that are sensitive to heat. This means that these substances can be altered or rendered ineffective when exposed to elevated temperatures. For example, some enzymes, proteins, or certain biological compounds may lose their functional properties or even become denatured when subjected to high temperatures. Recognizing this characteristic is essential in various fields, including pharmaceuticals and biochemical research, where maintaining the stability of sensitive compounds is critical for experiments or treatments. In contrast, other terms would not accurately define thermolabile: "produced by heat" would imply that heat is a necessary factor for the formation of a substance, which does not relate to sensitivity. "Insensitive to heat" directly contradicts the definition since thermolabile substances are, by definition, reactive to heat. Similarly, "activated by heat" suggests that heat enhances or initiates the function of a substance, which again does not apply to thermolabile compounds as they are negatively affected by increased temperatures.