Life 42- Immunology Flashcards
T cell
A type of lymphocyte involved in the cellular immune response. The final stages of its development occur in the thymus gland
Pathogen
An organism that causes disease
T-helper cell
Type of T cell that stimulates events in both the cellular and humoral immune responses by binding to the antigen on an antigen-presenting cell; target of the HIV-I virus, the agent of AIDS
Cytokine
A regulatory protein made by immune system cells that affects other target cells in the immune system
Lymphocyte
One of the two major classes of white blood cells; includes T cells, B cells, and other cell types important in the immune system
Monoclonal antibody
Antibody produced in the laboratory from a clone of hybridoma cells, each off which produces the same specific antibody
Nonspecific defences
Immunologic responses directed against any invading agent without reacting to specific antigens
Immediate hypersensitivity
A rapid, extensive overreaction of the immune system against an allergen, resulting in the release of large amounts of histamine
Delayed hypersensitivity
An increased immune reaction against an antigen that does not appear for 1-2 days after exposure.
Regulatory T cells
Class of T cells that mediates tolerance to self antigens
Inflammation
A nonspecific defence against pathogens; characterised by redness, swelling, pain, and increased temperature.
Constant region
The portion of an immunoglobulin molecule whose amino acid composition determines its class and does not vary among immunoglobulins in the class
Lysozyme
An enzyme in saliva, tear, and nasal secretion that hydrolyses bacterial cell walls
Colonial selection
Mechanism by which exposure to antigen results in the activation of selected T or B cell clones, resulting in an immune response.
Antigenic determinant
The specific region of an antigen that is recognised and bound by a specific antibody
Normal flora
Microorganisms that normally live and reproduce on or in the body without causing disease, and which form a nonspecific defence against pathogens by competing with them for space an nutrients.
Lymph
A fluid derived from blood and other tissues that accumulates in intercellular spaces throughout the body and is returned to the blood by the lymphatic system
Complement system
A group of eleven proteins that play a role in some reactions of the immune system but are not immunoglobulins
Defensin
A type of protein made by phagocytes that kills bacteria and enveloped viruses by insertion into their plasma membranes
Vaccination
Injection of virus or bacteria or their proteins into the body, to induce immunisation. The injected material is usually attenuated (weakened) before injection
Plasma cell
An antibody-secreting cell that develops from a B cell; the effector cell of the humoral immune system
Major Histocompatibility complex (MHC)
A complex of linked genes, with multiple alleles, that control a number of cell surface antigens that identify self and can lead to graft rejection