chap 7-glossary Flashcards
active immunity
Active immunity- when, after vaccination, memory cells are created that provide immunity against further exposure to antigens.
agglutination
Agglutination- when antigens or pathogens become stuck together because of antibody binding.
antibody
Antibody- a Y-shaped protein that binds to foreign substances that invade the body; also called immunoglobulin.
antigen presenting cells
Antigen-presenting cell (APC)- a cell that displays peptides derived from processed antigens on major histocompatibility complex class II molecules for presentation to Th cells; can be B cells, macrophages and dendritic cells.
autoimmune disease
Autoimmune disease- a disease caused when a persons immune system mistakes self-cells and tissues as non-self and initiates an immune response against them.
B cell
B cell- a class of lymphocyte that, once activated, produces antibodies; also called a B lymphocyte.
B cell receptor
B cell receptor- a surface-bound antibody that serves as a receptor so that B cells can detect antigens
B plasma cell
B plasma cell- a cell that originates in the bone marrow and produces large quantities of antibodies.
bone marrow
Bone marrow- soft tissue found inside some bones that contains stem cells that produce cells of the immune system.
cell-mediated immunity
Cell-mediated immunity- an immune response initiated by cells, which does not involve antibodies.
clonal selection
Clonal selection- the process in which lymphocytes that have bound to an antigen divide rapidly and become more numerous that other clones
cytotoxic T cells
Cytotoxic T cells- a class of lymphocyte destroys virally infected or cancerous cells by secreting proteins that result in the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis; also called a cytotoxic T lymphocyte.
epitope
Epitope- a small part of a larger molecule that binds to a receptor site such as B cell receptors and T cell receptors.
helper T cells
Helper T cell- a lymphocyte that assists cytotoxic T cells, B cells and macrophages by secreting cytokines and providing contact-dependent signalling; also called a helper T lymphocyte.
humoral immune response
Humoral immune response- an adaptive immune response mediated by antibodies.
immune
Immune- having resistance to infection by a specific pathogen.
immunoglobulin
Immunoglobulin (lG)- a Y-shaped protein produced by plasma cells that binds to a specific antigen; also called an antibody.
interleukin
Interleukin- a subset of cytokines that assists with the coordination of cells involved in the immune response.
interstitial fluid
Interstitial fluid- a fluid that lies between cells; also known as tissue fluid or extracellular fluid.
lymph node
Lymph node- an immunological organ in which antigens are trapped or delivered by phagocytes to present to lymphocytes and initiate an adaptive immune response.
lymphatic system
Lymphatic system- a system of organs (thymus, bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes network of vessels) and lymph fluid that are involved in transporting lymphocytes and removing foreign matter.
major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)- protein markers found on cell surfaces that are important in distinguishing self from non-self; MHC class I is found on all cells and MHC class II is found only on APC’s.
memory cell
Memory cell- a long-lived lymphocyte capable of responding to a particular antigen when it is reintroduced; made from B cells and T cells.
MHC restriction
MHC restriction- refers to the fact that T cells can only recognise antigens that are presented on MHC proteins.
MALT
Mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)- an extensive system of lymphoid tissue deposited all over the body; initiates immune responses along mucosal areas such as gastrointestinal tract, eyes and lungs.
neutralisation
Neutralisation- the process by which antibodies prevent toxins from acting by binding to them and blocking them from binding to their targets.
passive immunity
Passive immunity- immunity characterised by the transfer of antibodies from one individual to another; does not generate immunological memory.
primary lymphoid organ
Primary lymphoid organ- the bone marrow and thymus; responsible for the production and maturation of immune cells.
primary response
Primary response- the response generated when an antigen is encountered for the first time; contrasted with the secondary response.
regulatory T cell
Regulatory T cell- a class of lymphocyte that helps to negatively regulate the immune response; also called a regulatory T lymphocyte.
secondary lymphoid organ
Secondary lymphoid organ- an organ that provides an environment for the initiation of the immune response; includes lymph nodes, spleen and mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue.
secondary response
Secondary response- the response generated when the body encounters a pathogen to which it has previously generated an immune response; involves reactivation of memory lymphocytes and occurs more rapidly and with greater magnitude that the primary response.
self tolerance
Self-tolerance- the deletion or inactivation of lymphocyte clones that can bind to self-antigens to prevent an immune response to these antigens.
specific response
Specific response- an adaptive immune response directed against a particular antigen that retains immunological memory of that antigen.
spleen
Spleen- an abdominal organ that stores white blood cells.
T cell receptor
T cell receptor- a protein receptor found on the surface of T cells; binds to antigens presented on MHC proteins.
thymus
Thymus- the gland in the upper chest where T cells mature.
