Midterm #1 Flashcards
acidosis
pH < 7.35
acquired immunity
a highly specific, inducible, discriminatory, and permanent method by which literally armies of cells respond to an immune stimulant.
Immunity acquired by infection or vaccination.
active hyperemia
the dilation of arterioles after transient arteriolar constriction, which allows influx of blood under increased pressure.
Increased organ blood flow that is associated with increased metabolic activity of an organ or tissue.
alkalosis
pH > 7.45
anaphylactic shock
a severe hypersensitivity reaction that involves bronchoconstriction and cardiovascular collapse.
angiogenesis
the growth of new blood vessels.
antibodies
proteins secreted by certain immune cells that bind antigens to make them more visible to the immune system.
antigen
a foreign substance recognized by the immune system.
apoptosis
normal, genetically programmed cell death.
atopic
the medical term for having an allergic tendency
atrophy
a decrease in cell size due to a loss of subcellular components.
autoimmunity
the production of antibodies or T cells that work against the tissues of a person’s own body, producing autoimmune disease or a hypersensitivity reaction.
basophils
approximately 1% of leukocytes.
essential to nonspecific immune response to inflammation due to their role in releasing histamine and other chemicals that dilate blood vessels.
cardiogenic shock
a condition caused by the loss of 40% or more of the functioning myocardium; the heart is no loner able to circulate sufficient blood to maintain adequate oxygen delivery.
cell-mediated immunity
immune process by which T-cell lymphocytes recognize antigens and then secrete cytokines that attract other cells or stimulate the production of cytotoxic cells that kill the infected cells.
chemotaxis
the movement of additional white blood cells to an area of inflammation in response to the release of chemical mediators.
dysplasia
an alteration in the size, shape, and organization of cells.
endothelial cells
specific types of epithelial cells that serve the functioning of lining the blood vessels.
epithelium
type of tissue that covers all external surfaces of the body.
etiology
the cause of a disease process
feedback inhibition
negative feedback resulting in the decrease of an action in the body
fibrin
a whitish, filamentous protein formed by the action of thrombin on fibrinogen. Fibrin is the protein that bonds to form the fibrous component of a blood clot.
free radicals
molecules that are missing one electron in their outer shell
hapten
a substance that normally does not stimulate an immune response but can be combined with an antigen and at a later point initiate an antibody response.
hemochromatosis
an inherited disease in which the body absorbs more iron than it needs and stores it in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas.
hemolytic anemia
a disease characterized by increased destruction of the RBCs. It can occur from an Rh factor reaction, exposure to chemicals, or a disorder of the immune system.
hemophilia
an inherited sex-linked disorder characterized by excessive bleeding.
histamine
a vasoactive amine that increases vascular permeability and causes vasodilation.
humoral immunity
the immunity that utilizes antibodies made by B cell lymphocytes.
hyperplasia
an increase in the actual number of cells in an organ or tissue, usually resulting in an increase in the size of organ or tissue.
hypertonic solution
a solution with an osmolarity greater than intracellular fluid.
hypertrophy
an increase in the size of the cells due to synthesis of more sub cellular components, leading to an increase in tissue and organ size.
hypoperfusion
a condition that occurs when the level of tissue perfusion decreases below that needed to maintain normal cellular function.
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
a major part of the neuroendocrine system that controls reactions to stress. It is the mechanism for a set of interactions among glands, hormones, and parts of the midbrain that mediate general adaptation syndrome.
hypotonic solution
a solution with an osmolarity lower than intracellular fluid.
hypovolemic shock
a condition that occurs when the circulatin blood volume is inadequate to deliver adequate oxygen and nutrients to the body.
immunogens
an antigen that activates immune cells to generate an immune response against itself.
immunoglobulins
antibodies secreted by B cells.
interferon
protein produced by cells in response to viral invasion. Interferon is released into the bloodstream or intercellular fluid to induce healthy cells to manufacture an enzyme that counters the infection.
isotonic solution
a solution with the same osmolarity as intracellular fluid.
kinin system
a group of polypeptides that mediate inflammatory responses by stimulating visceral smooth muscle and relaxing vascular smooth muscle to produce vasodilation.
lymph
a thin, watery fluid that bathes the tissues of the body.
macrophages
cells that developed from the monocytes that provide the body’s first line of defense in the inflammatory process.
mast cells
the cells that resemble basophils but do not circulate in the blood. Mast cells play a role in allergic reactions, immunity, and wound healing.
negative feedback
the concept that once the desired effect of a process has been achieved, further action is inhibited until it is needed again
neurogenic shock
this condition usually results from spinal cord injury. The effect is loss of normal sympathetic nervous system tone and vasodilation.
obstructive shock
this occurs when there is a block to blood flow in the heart or great vessels.
oliguria
decreased urine output
osmosis
the movement of water down its concentration gradient across a membrane.
perfusion
the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the cells, organs, and tissues of the body. Also involves the removal of waste.
pericardial tamponade
impairment of diastolic filling of the right ventricle due to significant amounts of fluid in the pericardial sac surrounding the heart, leading to a decrease in the cardiac output.
phagocyte
a kind of cell that engulfs and consumes foreign material such as microorganisms or debris
polyuria
frequent and plentiful urination
prostaglandins
a group of lipids that act as a chemical messengers.
pyrogens
chemicals or proteins that travel to the brain and affect the hypothalamus, and stimulate a rise in the body’s core temperature.
renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
a complex feedback mechanism responsible for the kidney’s regulation of sodium in the body.
septic shock
this occurs as a result of widespread infection, usually bacterial. Untreated, the result is multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and often death.
serotonin
a vasoactive amine that increases vascular permeability to cause vasodilation.
urticaria
hives
virulence
a measure of the disease-causing ability of a microorganism.
