Biological specimens in a biobank
The Latin word specĭmen came to our language as a specimen . This is the name given to the specimen that exhibits, in a noticeable or clear manner, the most important or common characteristics of its species .
General notions
A specimen, therefore, is a model or an individual that is used in a demonstration. The specimen is considered to be representative of its type due to its features or properties.
It is common for the idea of a specimen to appear in the field of biology . The specimen presents the distinctive characters of the group to which it belongs; In this way, it can be part of a collection or an exhibition since it has importance for science and serves as an educational element.
biological specimen
The concept of biological specimen , in this framework, allows reference to a laboratory sample that is used for research purposes. The specimen, due to its representative condition, contributes to the carrying out of studies whose conclusions are taken as valid for the rest of the specimens of the same class.
One of the most important points around this concept is quality control. Although in recent years the search for general rules that guarantee it has acquired great importance, this did not happen in its origins.
For the regulation of biological specimens, it is necessary to have certain organizations that design specific policies. In this framework we can name the Office of Biobank and Biological Specimen Research , whose acronym is OBBR . In 2008, the French national organization for standardization AFNOR presented the first quality standard in this area.
In the postal field
The notion of specimen postage stamp or specimen stamp also refers to the sample stamp that is sent to post offices and those responsible for the mail so that they are in a position to recognize its validity . With this practice counterfeits are combated.
The specimen postage stamp has a legend that identifies it as such, with the aim of invalidating it for commercial use. In our language the term “Sample” is used.
This practice dates back almost two centuries, since postage stamps began to be issued. In 1840, for example, all post offices in Great Britain received samples of the first postage stamps, the so-called Penny Black and Two pence blue ; however, no mark was impressed on them to invalidate them. It was not until 1847, when production of the one shilling stamp began, that they marked the samples with the term "specimen."
For the economy
Similarly, a specimen note is one that is printed on a limited basis and given to banks and printers to enable recognition. These banknotes have no value , since they are not suitable as legal circulation currency.
Banknotes marked “specimen” in Russian
Among the destinations of these banknotes are the Central Banks , institutions that assume authority in matters of money in almost all countries. Generally, these international entities are responsible for issuing legal money and may also be responsible for the design and execution of the corresponding national monetary policy.
Since in principle the specimen banknote is identical to a legal tender one, it is necessary to take certain measures to prevent its fraudulent use. First, an expression in the style of "VALUELESS SAMPLE" or "SPECIMEN" is punched or overprinted. Furthermore, to reinforce security, very easy to identify and extremely unlikely serial numbers are usually assigned to a legal bill: whether with an ascending sequence or with all its digits the same, it is obvious that it is not normal.