Human Physiology Flashcards
active immunity
immunity produced when an immune system reacts to a stimulus (e.g., bacteria, virus, or vaccine) and produces antibodies and cells that will protect the body from future attacks
acetylcholine vesicle
chemical substance responsible for transmitting nerve impulses across a synapse
antagonistic muscle pair
skeletal muscles that provide bending and extending of joints; while one muscle contracts, the other relaxes
autoimmune disorder
disorder resulting from the body is attacked by its own immune system; examples are rheumatoid arthritis and system lupus erythematosus
cartilage
a type of connective tissue (softer than bone, harder than ligament) found at the ends of bones, permitting smooth joint movement; also provides structure for ears and nose
chondrocyte
a mature cell within cartilage that provides the structural components of cartilage
endoskeleton
an internal support structure of the body
exoskeleton
an external protective hard outer covering of many invertebrates; examples are insects and shell fish
hemoglobin
organic biomolecule responsible for the color red in the bloodstream that carries oxygen to all the tissues of the body
herd immunity
the resistance of group or community to invasion and spread of an infectious disease, based on the immunity of a high proportion of the group’s members
hydrostatic skeleton
a fluid-filled cavity surrounded by muscle fibers that contract to change the shape and/or function of the body cavity; primarily found in soft-bodied invertebrates
immunodeficiency
the body’s decreased ability to fight infection and disease; also called immune deficiency
immunogenity
an antigen’s or vaccine’s ability to stimulate an immune response
ligament
fibrous tissue band connecting bone to bone or cartilage to bone; provides support and strength to joints
memory cell
a subset of T and B cells produced by the immune system to respond to second and subsequent infections
muscle
contractile tissue that moves the body and substances within the body
neuron
the fundamental unit of the nervous system, having structure and properties that allow it to conduct signals by taking advantage of the electrical charge across its cell membrane
passive immunity
temporary immunity provided by antibodies transferred during pregnancy and breast feeding
primary immune response
the immune system’s response to the first challenge by an antigen, and the consequent creation of memory T cells ready for second and subsequent attacks
red blood cell
a donut-shaped cell in blood plasma that carries oxygen from the lungs to body tissues; also called an erythrocyte
secondary immune response
the immune response to the second and subsequent attacks to specific antigen previously encountered
tendon
tough, fibrous tissue connecting muscle to bone
vaccine
a preparation containing an antigen used to provide immunity against a specific disease
white blood cell
a blood cell without hemoglobin that fights infection in the body; also called lymphocyte
