Dealing with disease + Immunity Flashcards
1
Q
Pathogen
A
An agent that causes disease
2
Q
Antigen
A
Any molecule that may trigger an immune response
3
Q
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) markers
A
A group of proteins present on the surface of all self-cells that enables the immune system to distinguish it from non-self material.
4
Q
Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC Class II) markers
A
Expressed on antigen presenting cells, which interact with T helper cells in the process of antigen-presentation, initiating an adaptative immune response.
5
Q
Allergen
A
A non-pathogenic antigen that triggers an allergic reaction.
6
Q
Allergic reaction
A
An overreaction of the immune system to a nonpathogenic antigen.
7
Q
Types of cellular pathogens
A
Bacteria, fungi, worms, protozoa
8
Q
Protozoa
A
Single-celled eukaryotes that can be free-living or parasitic.
9
Q
Types of non-cellular pathogens
A
Viruses, prions
10
Q
Virus
A
Non-cellular agent composed of a protective protein coat and nucleic acid.
11
Q
Prion
A
Abnormally folded proteins that have the ability to induce normal proteins nearby to become misfolded.
12
Q
Innate immune system
A
A component of the immune system that is composed of generalised and non-specific defences and/or responses to pathogens.
13
Q
First line of defence
A
A component of the innate immune system characterised by the presence of physical, chemical, and microbiological barriers to keep pathogens out of the host organism.
14
Q
Second line of defence
A
A component of the innate immune system characterised by the nonspecific response to injury and/or pathogens by a variety of cells and molecules.
15
Q
Physical barrier
A
A component of the first line of defence that features solid or fluid obstacles that block pathogen entry such as skin or mucus.
16
Q
Chemical barrier
A
A component of the first line of defence that features the use of enzymes, toxins, and acids to protect against pathogen invasion.
17
Q
Cuticle
A
A waxy protective film covering the surface of a plant leaf.
18
Q
Gall
A
An abnormal outgrowth of tissue in plants designed to limit the spread of an invading pathogen.
19
Q
Trichomes
A
Small hairs on the surface of plants used to deter pathogens and/or insects
20
Q
Stoma
A
A small pore on the leaf’s surface that opens and closes to regulate gas exchange.
21
Q
Microbiological barrier
A
A component of the first line of defence in which the presence of normal flora limits the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
22
Q
Flora
A
Naturally occurring, nonpathogenic bacteria present in an organism.
23
Q
Cillium
A
Thin, hair-like projection that protrudes from eukaryotic cells.
24
Q
Phagocyte
A
A group of leukocytes responsible for the endocytosis and destruction of pathogens, foreign material, and cell debris.
25
Neutrophil
The most common type of leukocyte in the body. Engages in phagocytosis of pathogens and foreign material, as well as the release of cytokines.
26
Macrophage
A type of leukocyte found throughout the body that engages in phagocytosis and antigen presentation.
27
Dendritic cell
A type of leukocyte that engages in phagocytosis and antigen presentation.
28
Antigen-presenting cell (APC)
A subgroup of phagocytes that display antigens from consumed pathogens on their surface and interact with the adaptive immune system.
29
Cytokine
A signalling molecule released by cells (typically in the immune system) which aids in communication between immune cells and helps protect against pathogens.
30
Natural Killer (NK) cell
A type of leukocyte responsible for the recognition and destruction of damaged and/or infected host cells.
31
Mast cell
A type of leukocyte responsible for releasing histamine during allergic and inflammatory responses.
32
Degranulation
The release of granule contents from a cell.
33
Histamine
A molecule released by mast cells that plays a key role in inflammation.
34
Inflammatory response
A series of biochemical events that occur in the body as a result of infection and/or trauma. Characterised by swelling, redness, pain, and heat in the affected tissue.
35
Eosinophil
A large granular leukocyte responsible for the release of toxic chemical mediators.
36
Interferon
A cytokine released by virally infected cells that increases the viral resistance of neighbouring uninfected cells.
37
Complement proteins
A number of different types of proteins found in the blood that opsonise, cause lysis, and attract phagocytes to invading pathogens.
38
Epidemic
The RAPID spread of disease to a large number of people.
39
Pandemic
When the spread of disease reaches GLOBAL proportions.
40
Complement cascade
A complex sequence of events which occurs after the activation of complement proteins.
41
Opsonisation
The mechanism by which complement proteins attach to the surface of pathogens, making them easier to phagocytose.
42
Chemotaxis
The attraction of phagocytes towards a pathogen.
43
Lysis
The disintergration or rupturing of a cell.
44
Membrane attack complex (MAC)
A pore formed by complement proteins in the cell membranes of a pathogen, disrupting the membrane and leading to the pathogen’s destruction.
45
Vasodilation
The widening of blood vessels
46
Third line of defence
Composed of the humoral and cell-mediated responses which create a specific immune response and form immunological memory.
47
Immunological memory
The ability of the immune system to
quickly and aggressively combat a previously encountered pathogen due to the presence of T and B memory cells.
48
T helper cell
A type of differentiated T lymphocyte that supports the functioning of a number of different immune cells, including the cloning and differentiation of selected T and B cells.
49
Lymphatic system
A large network of vessels and tissues throughout the body that form an important component of both the circulatory and immune systems.
50
Lymph node
A small secondary lymphoid tissue of the lymphatic system where antigen-presenting cells activate the adaptive immune system.
51
Humoral immunity
An adaptive immune response in which extracellular pathogens are targeted by specific antibodies produced by plasma cells.
52
Cell -mediated immunity
An adaptive immune response in which infected or abnormal cells are destroyed by cytotoxic T cells.
53
B lymphocyte
A type of lymphocyte that plays an important role in humoral immunity and differentiates into plasma cells and B memory cells.
54
Antibody
A protein produced by plasma cells during the adaptive immune response that is specific to an antigen and combats pathogens in a variety of ways.
55
Cytokine
A signalling molecule released by cells (typically in the immune system) which aids in communication between immune cells and helps protect against pathogens.
56
Clonal expansion
The process in which many copies of a lymphocyte are generated.
57
Clonal selection
The process in which B and T cells encounter an antigen that matches their antigen binding site, and then generate many copies of themselves.
58
B memory cell
A differentiated B lymphocyte that is responsible for providing long-lasting immunological memory of an antigen.
59
Effector cell
A cell that responds to a signal and produces a response.
60
Plasma cell
A differentiated B lymphocyte that is responsible for the generation and secretion of antibodies during the humoral response.
61
Agglutination
The clumping of particles together. In the immune system, antibodies can help clump pathogens together.
62
Antigen-antibody complex
A structure formed by the complementary binding between antigen and antibody molecules.
63
Rhesus antigen
An antigen on the surface of red blood cells that can cause an immune response if not matched correctly between donor and receiver.
64
Cytotoxic T cell
A differentiated T lymphocyte that is responsible for the destruction of infected or abnormal cells.
65
T memory cell
A differentiated T lymphocyte that is responsible for providing long-lasting immunological memory.
66
Apoptosis
Controlled cell death.
67
Secondary lymphoid tissue
Components of the lymphatic system that are responsible for the maintenance of mature lymphocytes and the activation of the adaptive immune response. Includes lymph nodes and the spleen.
68
Types of secondary lymphoid tissue
Lymph nodes & the spleen
69
Primary lymphoid tissue
Components of the lymphatic
system that are responsible for
the production and maturation
of lymphocytes.
70
Types of primary lymphoid tissue
Bone marrow & thymus
71
Lymph
A pale fluid that flows through the lymphatic system and has a high concentration of leukocytes.
72
Bone marrow
Semi-solid tissue found within bones. Serves as the primary site of the creation of red blood cells and leukocytes.
73
Thymus
A primary lymphoid organ located in the chest. Serves as the site of T cell maturation.
74
Lymph node
A small secondary lymphoid tissue found throughout the body where antigen-presenting cells activate the adaptive immune system.
75
Tonsils
The name given to the two lymph nodes that reside at the back of the throat.
76
Spleen
An organ located in the upper abdomen that serves a variety of functions in the immune system and the regulation of red blood cells.
77
Lymphatic capillaries
The smallest form of lymphatic vessel. Located in the spaces between cells.
78
Role of the lymphatic system in immunity
To serve as a transport network for the transportation of antigen-presenting cells to lymph nodes for antigen presentation and the initiation of the adaptive immune response.
79
Afferent (lead towards) lymphatic vessel
Thin-walled structures that collect lymph from the tissues of the body and deliver it to lymph nodes.
80
Efferent (lead away) lymphatic vessels
Thin-walled structures that collect lymph that has drained through lymph nodes, returning it back to circulation.
81
Natural immunity
Protection against a disease formed without medical intervention.
82
Artificial immunity
Protection against a disease formed as a result of medical intervention.
83
Active immunity
Protection against a disease created by
antibodies and memory cells formed by a person’s own adaptive immune system.
84
Passive immunity
Protection against a disease created by antibodies from an external source.
85
Natural active immunity
Protection against a disease created by antibodies and memory cells produced by an individual’s own immune system without medical intervention.
86
Natural passive immunity
Protection against a disease created by antibodies from an external, non-medical source.
87
Artificial active immunity
Protection against a disease created by antibodies and memory cells produced by an individual's own immune system after medical intervention.
88
Vaccine
A medical treatment typically containing antigens designed to stimulate a person's adaptative immune system to create immunity to a pathogen without actually causing disease.
89
Primary immune response
The reaction of the adaptitive immune system to an antigen it has not previously been exposed to.
90
Secondary immune response
The heightened reaction of the adaptative immune system to an antigen it has previously been exposed to.
91
Vaccination program
A series of vaccinations designed to create long-term immunity to a disease.
92
Booster vaccine
A vaccination given to a person later in time after they have completed their initial vaccination program to enhance their existing immunity against a disease.
93
Artificial passive immunity
Protection against a disease created by antibodies from an external medical source.
94
Anti venom
A medical treatment containing antibodies specific to the toxins present in venomous bites or stings.
95
Herd immunity
Protection against a disease conferred to non-immune individuals when a high percentage of a population is immune to the same disease.
- often achieved through high vaccination rates
96
Non-infectious disease
An illness not caused by a pathogen.
97
Infectious disease
An illness caused by a pathogen
98
Contagious disease
An illness caused by a pathogen that can be transmitted and spread between different people.
99
Contagious
A property of a pathogen or disease meaning that it can be transmitted from one organism to another.
100
Virulence
The potential of a pathogen or disease to cause serious illness or harm.
101
Emerging disease
An infectious disease that is new to the human population, or that is rapidly increasing in incidence.
102
Re-emerging disease
An infectious disease that was previously under control but that is now increasing in incidence.
103
Incidence
The frequency of a disease in a population.
104
Zoonosis
An infectious disease that is caused by a pathogen that has transferred from an animal to a human.
105
Reservoir
A population of animals or environment in which a pathogen normally lives.
106
Outbreak
A sudden and unexpected increase in the occurrence of a disease.
107
Epidemic
A dramatically increased occurrence of a disease in a particular community at a particular time.
108
Pandemic
An epidemic that has spread across multiple countries and/or continents.
109
Endemic
When a disease occurs at a relatively constant baseline level in a population.
110
Virulence
The potential of a pathogen or disease to cause serious illness or harm.
111
Serology
The study of blood serum, typically to determine the presence of antibodies and/or antigens.
112
Serum
The fluid and solute component of blood that excluded blood cells, platelets, and clotting factors.
113
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
An experimental technique used to identify a pathogen by determining the presence of antigens or antibodies in a sample.
114
Host
An organism that harbours a pathogen
115
Transmission
The passing of a pathogen from an infected host to another individual or group.
116
Airborne transmission
The spread of pathogens through air via small particles.
117
Droplet transmission
The spread of pathogens through air and contaminated surfaces via respiratory droplets.
118
Direct physical contact transmission
The spread of pathogens through contact between a host and another individual.
119
Vertical transmission
Spread of pathogens from mother-to-child during gestation, childbirth, or post-birth due to close physical contact and breastfeeding of a newborn.
120
Iatrogenic
Describes a disease caused by medical intervention.
121
Indirect physical contact transmission
The spread of pathogens via contaminated objects or vectors.
122
Fomites
An inanimate object that, when contaminated with a pathogen, can transmit that pathogen to a new host.
123
Vector
An organism that is not affected by a disease but spreads it between hosts.
124
Faecal-oral transmission
The spread of pathogens via oral consumption of contaminated faeces.
125
Antiseptic
A substance that is applied to a living tissue to kill or slow the growth of microorganisms.
126
Disinfectant
A substance that is applied to non-living materials to kill or slow the growth of microorganisms.
127
Antibiotic
Medications used to kill bacteria or slow their growth.
128
Antiviral
Medications used to treat viral infections.
129
Fungicide
Medications used to treat fungal infections.
130
Antimicrobial resistance
The ability of a microorganism to survive exposure to an antimicrobial agent.
131
Immunotherapy
Medical interventions that treat disease by modulating the immune system, typically by either amplifying or reducing an immune response.
132
Chimeric
An organism or cell containing genetic material from another organism or cell.
133
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)
Identical laboratory-made antibodies produced by plasma cell clones.
134
Myeloma cells
Rapidly-diving cancerous plasma cells which are fused with extracted B cells from mice to produce hybridomas.
135
Hybridoma
The product of the fusion between a mouse's extracted plasma cell and a myeloma cell.
136
Naked monoclonal antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies that do not have any other molecules attached to them.
137
Conjugated monoclonal antibodies
Monoclobal antibodies with other molecules (e.g. chemotherapy drugs or radioisotopes) attatched to them.
138
Autoantibodies
Antibodies directed against an organism's own tissues.
139
Autoreactive
A cell that recognises a self-tissue or self-antigen as non-self.
140
Immunosuppression
A reduction in the ability of the immune system to generate an immune response.
141
Immune deficiency
A state in which the immune system is no longer able to protect the body against infection or disease.
142
Defensins
Small peptides that are toxic to microbes and fungi
