The immune system Flashcards
Pathogen
Disease causing agents that include bacteria, fungi, viruses, fungi and protozoans.
Infection
The invasion of an organisms body tissues by pathogens
Innate responses
responses by the body that target any pathogen (Non-specific)
adaptive responses
Reponses by the body that only respond to a certain pathogen (specific)
Inflammation
Inflammation is the bodies response to a tissue injury or infection. It is characterised by localised redness and swelling, heat and pain. The function of inflammation is to stop the spread of pathogens and infection.
interferons
block viral replication and slow tumour growth
complement
A group of proteins in body fluids that stimulate inflammation, attracts phagocytes and enhances phagocytosis and antibody action
natural killer cells
A small proportion of lymphocytes that are involved in specific defences
phagocytosis
engulfment and digestion of pathogens, foreign particles and debris.
Antigens
Proteins, polysaccharides, glycoproteins, or glycolipids that can illicit an immune response.
cytokine
small proteins involved in cell signalling
immunoglobin G (IgG) is found in
Found in tissue fluid and plasma
IgA is found in
exocrine gland secretions
IgM is found in
plasma
IgD is found in
the surface of most B lymphocytes
