Immunity (chapters 10-11) Flashcards
infectious disease
A disease passed from one person to another by infection with microorganisms; also called an infectious or transmissible disease
contagious
A disease passed on by direct contact
pathogen
A disease-causing organism; also referred to as a pathogenic organism
vector
An agent such as an insect capable of transferring a disease-causing organism from one person to another
bacteria
Microscopic living organisms that cause disease; classified according to shape
cocci
Spherical cells that may occur singly, in pairs, in clusters or in chains
bacilli
Have flagella (for movement); are rod-shaped cells
spirilla
Have twisted cells
vibro
Are like curved rods (often shaped like a comma)
virus
An infectious agent, too small to be seen with a light microscope, consisting of a protein sheath surrounding a core of nucleic acid; viruses are totally dependent on living cells for reproduction
bacteriophages
A virus that infects bacteria
antibody
A substance produced in response to a specific antigen; combines with the antigen to neutralize or destroy it
antigen
Any substance capable of causing formation of antibodies when introduced into tissue
antigen-antibody complex
A compound formed when an antibody combines with an antigen
self-antigen
Any large molecule produced in a person’s own body; does not cause an immune response in that person
phagocytes
Cells that are able to engulf microorganisms and cell debris
macrophages
A phagocytic cell derived from a monocyte (a type of WBC)
leucocytes
A white blood cell
inflammation
The response to danger to a tissue; involves swelling, heat, pain and redness in the affected area
histamine
A substance released in response to injury to cells; it results in an increase in blood flow
herapin
A substance that helps to prevent blood clotting
lymphatic system
A system of vessels that drain excess fluid from the tissues
humoural/antibody-mediated immunity
A response triggered by foreign substances or microorganisms entering the body
cell-mediated immunity
The part of the immune response in which T-cells attach to antigens to destroy them; also called cellular immunity
B-cells
Produced in bone marrow, matures in bone marrow; a type of lymphocyte that develops into either a plasma cells that produces antibodies or into a memory cell