Microbiology

Viruses

Acellular entities not fitting into any of the 3 domains of life, consisting of a nucleic acid genome wrapped in a protein coat called a capsid.

Capsid

Protein coat of a viral particle, self-assembling into structures and determining the overall shape of the virus.

Fungi

Eukaryotic organisms with chitin cell walls, reproducing via budding, fission, or spores, capable of metabolizing complex carbohydrates.

Mycology

Study of fungi, including fungal characteristics, reproduction, and diseases caused by fungi.

Commensalism

Symbiotic relationship where microorganisms benefit, and the host is neither harmed nor helped.

Parasitism

Symbiotic relationship where microorganisms benefit, but the host is harmed.

Microbiome

Collection of microorganisms living in or on the human body, influencing various aspects of health and disease.

Innate Immunity

Non-specific, rapid immune response involving physical barriers, antimicrobial peptides, and cells like granulocytes and macrophages.

Epithelial Barriers

Physical barriers like skin, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital linings, held together by tight junctions to prevent pathogen entry.

Phagocytosis

Process where phagocytic cells engulf and destroy particulate material, including pathogens, to eliminate infections.

Phagolysosome

Fusion of granules and lysosomes with a phagosome in macrophages, where digestive enzymes are secreted to break down pathogens.

Receptor Mediated Endocytosis

Process where molecules bind to protein receptors, move to clatharin-coated pits, and are taken into the cell through coated vesicles.

Complement

Group of serum proteins that, when activated, can damage pathogenic organism membranes through a cascade reaction.

AMP

Antimicrobial Peptides, small peptides that act against pathogenic organisms in the innate immune response.

Adaptive Immunity

Immunity provided by lymphocytes that adapts to pathogens, includes long-lasting memory cells for future protection.

Cell-Mediated Immunity

Resistance to pathogens or cancerous cells through the activation of T cells, leading to effector and memory cell formation.

Pathogenesis

The process by which microorganisms cause disease, either directly through harm induction or indirectly through immune responses.

Hypersensitivity

Hyperactivation of the immune system, categorized into types like immediate, antibody-mediated, immune complex-mediated, and cell-mediated hypersensitivity.

Coextinction

The risk of both parasite and host becoming extinct if the parasite causes severe harm to the host, leading to a delicate balance in parasitic relationships.

Diagnosis

The process of determining a disease or condition, often involving tests, examinations, and symptom analysis for accurate identification.