7A - Detecting Pathogens

Question 1

pathogen

Answer 1

An agent that causes disease.

Question 2

antigen

Answer 2

Any molecule that may trigger an immune response.

Question 3

non-self antigen

Answer 3

A molecule from outside the body that is recognised by the immune system and initiates an immune response. AKA foreign antigen.

Question 4

major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins

Answer 4

A group of proteins present on the surface of all self-cells that enables the immune system to distinguish it from non-self material. AKA self-antigens.

Question 5

autoimmune disease

Answer 5

A disease in which an individual’s immune system initiates an immune response against their own cells.

Question 6

allergen

Answer 6

A non-pathogenic antigen that triggers an allergic reaction.

Question 7

allergic reaction

Answer 7

An overreaction of the immune system to a non-pathogenic antigen.

Question 8

cellular pathogen

Answer 8

A pathogen that has a cellular structure and exhibits the processes of a living organism. Examples include bacteria, fungi, protozoa and parasites.

Question 9

non-cellular pathogen

Answer 9

A pathogen that neither has a cellular structure nor exhibits the processes of a living organism. Examples include viruses and prions.

Question 10

lysis

Answer 10

The disintegration or rupturing a cell

Question 11

hyphae

Answer 11

Branching filaments of a fungus help absorb nutrients from the environment.

Question 12

parasite

Answer 12

An organism that lives in or on another organism, usually deriving nutrition from the host organism.

Question 13

Disease

Answer 13

Refers to the impaired functioning of cells or processes within humans, plants or animals, that is not a fault of injury. Is said to have occurred when symptoms
appear.