Chapter 6: Preventing and Treating Disease

Vocabulary flashcards for key terms related to preventing and treating disease.

Antibiotic

Medicines that can kill bacteria in the body.

Antibody

A protein produced by lymphocytes that target and help to destroy specific pathogens by binding to antigens on the pathogens’ surfaces.

Antigen

Proteins on the surface of pathogens.

Antitoxin

Lymphocytes produce antitoxins that bind to the toxins produced by some pathogens and neutralizes the toxins.

Dose

What amount of a drug is safe and effective to give.

Double-blind trial

Clinical trials where neither the patients nor the doctors know who has been given the real drug and who has been given the placebo.

Efficacy

Does the drug work?

Herd immunity

When a large proportion of the population is vaccinated against a disease, making it less likely to spread.

Mucus

Traps particles in the air, preventing them from entering the lungs.

Peer review

The results of clinical trials will be tested and checked by independent researchers.

Placebo

A drug with no effect that is given to patients instead of the real drug in a trial

Toxicity

Is it harmful?

Vaccination

Involves injecting small quantities of dead or inactive forms of a pathogen into the body, stimulating lymphocytes to produce the correct antibodies for that pathogen.

White blood cell

Fight pathogens. There are two main types: lymphocytes and phagocytes.

Antitoxin

Neutralize toxins produced by pathogens by binding to them.

Placebo

Medicines with no effect that are given to patients instead of the real drug in a trial.