Chapter 43 (Immune system)

Pathogen

Disease causing agent which includes viruses, bacteria, fungi

chemical barriers

sweat/saliva/tears/glands/stomach

Function: prevent infections

physical barriers

white blood cells

Function:phagocytosis

Interferon

chemical barrier

Function: proteins produced by virus infected cells to help healthy cells 

Inflammatory response

body’s natural defense reaction to injury or infection

Steps of inflammatory response

1.release of chemical signals such as histamine

Steps of inflammatory response

2.dilation and increased leakiness of local blood vessels

Steps of inflammatory response

3.phagocytic cells engulfed bacteria, tissue heals

histamine

released by injured cells, causes blood vessels to dilate

prostaglandin

increases blood flow causing wound to become red

pyrogen

stimulates fever which discourages bacterial growth

antigen 

foreign microbe in the body (bacteria) that triggers an immune response 

antibody

blood plasma protein that attaches to the antigen in order to counter its effects

active immunity

body is actively stimulated to produce antibodies for its own defense (vaccines)

passive immunity

receive ready-made antibodies instead of making them yourself.

passive immunity

acquired

mother provides antibodies to the fetus via the umbilical cord

passive immunity 

antivenin 

antibodies made against the venom in snakebites

lymphocytes

white blood cells responsible for producing the immune response

humoral immune response

part of your immune system that uses B cells and antibodies to fight infections in body fluids

cell mediated immune response

immune system that uses T cells to fight infections inside your cells.

clonal selection

process where only the specific B or T cell that recognizes a pathogen is activated, and then it copies itself many times to fight that exact invader.

primary immune response 

slow first-time response + creation of memory cells.

secondary immune response

fast, strong response thanks to memory cells.

memory cells

lymphocytes that can persist for decades in the lymph nodes

t-cells

type of white blood cell (lymphocyte) that play a key role in the cell-mediated immune response.

major histocompatibility complex

set of proteins on the surface of cells that help the immune system recognize your own cells vs outside threats

Allergies

abnormal sensitivity to antigens in the environment

anaphylactic shock

dangerous type of allergic reaction where blood vessels dilates

zoonotic disease

virus that can be transmitted from animals to humans

Ex: Rabies, coronavirus