chap 7-glossary

Question 1

active immunity

Answer 1

Active immunity- when, after vaccination, memory cells are created that provide immunity against further exposure to antigens.

Question 2

agglutination

Answer 2

Agglutination- when antigens or pathogens become stuck together because of antibody binding.

Question 3

antibody

Answer 3

Antibody- a Y-shaped protein that binds to foreign substances that invade the body; also called immunoglobulin.

Question 4

antigen presenting cells

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

autoimmune disease

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

B cell

Answer 6

B cell- a class of lymphocyte that, once activated, produces antibodies; also called a B lymphocyte.

Question 7

B cell receptor

Answer 7

B cell receptor- a surface-bound antibody that serves as a receptor so that B cells can detect antigens

Question 8

B plasma cell

Answer 8

B plasma cell- a cell that originates in the bone marrow and produces large quantities of antibodies.

Question 9

bone marrow

Answer 9

Bone marrow- soft tissue found inside some bones that contains stem cells that produce cells of the immune system.

Question 10

cell-mediated immunity

Answer 10

Cell-mediated immunity- an immune response initiated by cells, which does not involve antibodies.

Question 11

clonal selection

Answer 11

Clonal selection- the process in which lymphocytes that have bound to an antigen divide rapidly and become more numerous that other clones

Question 12

cytotoxic T cells

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

epitope

Answer 13

Epitope- a small part of a larger molecule that binds to a receptor site such as B cell receptors and T cell receptors.

Question 14

helper T cells

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

humoral immune response

Answer 15

Humoral immune response- an adaptive immune response mediated by antibodies.

Question 16

immune

Answer 16

Immune- having resistance to infection by a specific pathogen.

Question 17

immunoglobulin

Answer 17

Immunoglobulin (lG)- a Y-shaped protein produced by plasma cells that binds to a specific antigen; also called an antibody.

Question 18

interleukin

Answer 18

Interleukin- a subset of cytokines that assists with the coordination of cells involved in the immune response.

Question 19

interstitial fluid

Answer 19

Interstitial fluid- a fluid that lies between cells; also known as tissue fluid or extracellular fluid.

Question 20

lymph node

Answer 20

Lymph node- an immunological organ in which antigens are trapped or delivered by phagocytes to present to lymphocytes and initiate an adaptive immune response.

Question 21

lymphatic system

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

major histocompatibility complex (MHC)

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

memory cell

Answer 23

Memory cell- a long-lived lymphocyte capable of responding to a particular antigen when it is reintroduced; made from B cells and T cells.

Question 24

MHC restriction

Answer 24

MHC restriction- refers to the fact that T cells can only recognise antigens that are presented on MHC proteins.

Question 25

MALT

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

neutralisation

Answer 26

Neutralisation- the process by which antibodies prevent toxins from acting by binding to them and blocking them from binding to their targets.

Question 27

passive immunity

Answer 27

Passive immunity- immunity characterised by the transfer of antibodies from one individual to another; does not generate immunological memory.

Question 28

primary lymphoid organ

Answer 28

Primary lymphoid organ- the bone marrow and thymus; responsible for the production and maturation of immune cells.

Question 29

primary response

Answer 29

Primary response- the response generated when an antigen is encountered for the first time; contrasted with the secondary response.

Question 30

regulatory T cell

Answer 30

Regulatory T cell- a class of lymphocyte that helps to negatively regulate the immune response; also called a regulatory T lymphocyte.

Question 31

secondary lymphoid organ

Answer 31

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.

Question 32

secondary response

Answer 32

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.

Question 33

self tolerance

Answer 33

Self-tolerance- the deletion or inactivation of lymphocyte clones that can bind to self-antigens to prevent an immune response to these antigens.

Question 34

specific response

Answer 34

Specific response- an adaptive immune response directed against a particular antigen that retains immunological memory of that antigen.

Question 35

spleen

Answer 35

Spleen- an abdominal organ that stores white blood cells.

Question 36

T cell receptor

Answer 36

T cell receptor- a protein receptor found on the surface of T cells; binds to antigens presented on MHC proteins.

Question 37

thymus

Answer 37

Thymus- the gland in the upper chest where T cells mature.