Communicable diseases key terms Flashcards

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1
Q

pathogen

A

a microorganism that causes disease

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2
Q

Direct transmission

A

passing a pathogen from host to new host with no intermediary

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3
Q

indirect transmission

A

passing a pathogen from host to new host via a vector

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4
Q

transmission

A

passing a pathogen from an infected individual to a uninfected individual

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5
Q

vector

A

an organism that carries a pathogen from one host to another

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6
Q

callose

A

a large polysaccharide deposit that block old phloem sieve tubes

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7
Q

inflammation

A

swelling and redness of tissue caused by infection

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8
Q

mucous membrane

A

specialised epithelial tissue that is covered by mucus

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9
Q

primary defences

A

those that prevent pathogens entering the body

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10
Q

antigen presenting cells

A

a cell that isolates the antigen from a pathogen and places it on the plasma membrane so it can be recognised by other cells in the immune system

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11
Q

clonal selection

A

selection of specific B or T cell that is specific to the antigen

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12
Q

cytokines

A

hormone like molecules used in cell signalling to stimulate the immune response

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13
Q

neutrophil

A

a type of white blood cell that engulfs foreign matter and traps it in a large vacuole (phagosome) which fuses with lysosomes to digest the foreign matter

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14
Q

opsonins

A

proteins that can bind to the antigen on a pathogen and then allow phagocytes to bind

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15
Q

antibodies

A

specific proteins released by plasma cells that can attach to pathogenic organisms

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16
Q

B memory cells

A

cells that remain in the blood for a long time providing long term immunity

17
Q

clonal expansion

A

an increase in the number of cells by mitotic cell division

18
Q

interleukins

A

signalling molecules that are used to communicate between different white blood cells

19
Q

plasma cells

A

derived from the B lymphocytes these are cells that manufacture antibodies

20
Q

T-helper cells

A

cells that release signalling molecules to stimulate the immune response

21
Q

T-killer cells

A

cells that attack and destroy our own body cells that are infected by a pathogen

22
Q

T-memory cells

A

cells that remain in the blood for a long time providing long term immunity

23
Q

T-regulator cells

A

cells that are involved with ending the Immune response

24
Q

agglutinins

A

antibodies that cause pathogens to stick together

25
Q

anti toxins

A

antibodies that render toxins harmless

26
Q

opsonins

A

antibodies that make it easier for phagocytes to engulf the pathogen

27
Q

primary immune response

A

the initial response caused by a first infection

28
Q

secondary immune response

A

a more rapid and vigorous response caused by a second or subsequent infection by the same pathogen

29
Q

active immunity

A

when the immune system is activated and manufactures its own antibodies

30
Q

artificial immunity

A

immunity that is achieved as a result o medical intervention

31
Q

epidemic

A

a rapid spread of disease through a high proportion of the population

32
Q

natural immunity

A

immunity achieved through normal life processes

33
Q

passive immunity

A

immunity achieved when antibodies are passed on to the individual through breastfeeding or antibody injection

34
Q

vaccination

A

a way of stimulating the immune response so that immunity is achieved

35
Q

Antibiotic

A

a chemical which prevents the growth of microorganisms, antibiotics can be antifungal or antibacterial

36
Q

Personalised medicine

A

the development of designer medicines for individuals

37
Q

Synthetic biology

A

the re-engineering of biology

  • production of new molecules that mimic natural processes
  • the use of natural molecules to produce new biological systems that do not exist in nature