Untitled Flashcards Set

Immunity

Specific (adaptive) defense against infection by lymphocytes in response to antigens.

Tolerance

The immune system's ability to not attack the body's own cells, only targeting foreign substances.

Humoral Immunity

Antibody-mediated immunity that takes place in bodily fluids, involving B lymphocytes and antibodies.

Cellular Immunity

Cell-mediated immunity primarily by T lymphocytes, targeting intracellular organisms.

Antigen

Any substance that provokes the production of antibodies, also called an antibody generator.

Blood Antigens

Glycoproteins on the surface of red blood cells that define blood groups, such as A, B, AB, and O.

Allergen

A noninfectious substance that causes hypersensitivity reactions, such as pollen or dust.

Microbial Antigens

Components of bacterial cells, viruses, protozoans, and other microorganisms that trigger an immune response.

Vaccines

Killed or attenuated components of microorganisms used for immunization purposes.

Toxoids

Detoxified toxins used to stimulate antitoxin production in an immune response.

MHC Antigens

Major histocompatibility complex proteins that help the immune system distinguish self from nonself.

Epitopes

Regions on an antigen that are recognized and bound by antibodies.

Valence

The number of epitopes on an antigen.

Opsonization

The process that increases the efficiency of phagocytosis.

IgG

The most common antibody type, accounting for about 80% of all antibodies in serum.

IgA

An antibody found in body fluids that protects mucosal surfaces.

IgD

An antibody that serves as a receptor on B lymphocytes for antigens.

IgE

An antibody involved in allergic reactions and protection against parasitic infections.

IgM

The first antibody produced during an immune response, consisting of five monomers.

Th Cell

Helper T cell that activates B cells and cytotoxic T cells through cytokine production.

Memory B Cells

B cells that retain the memory of an antigen and rapidly respond upon re-exposure.

Plasma Cells

Active B cells that secrete antibodies specific to the foreign antigens.

Cytotoxic T Cells

T cells that directly destroy infected or cancerous cells.

Delayed Hypersensitivity T Cells

T cells involved in delayed type hypersensitivity reactions.

Natural Killer Cells

Lymphocytes that kill cancer cells and virus-infected cells without prior sensitization.

Clonal Selection Theory

The concept that each antigen-reactive B or T cell has a specific receptor that allows it to proliferate upon encountering its antigen.

Positive Selection

The process during T cell maturation where cells that bind self-MHC are retained.

Negative Selection

The elimination of T cells that bind to self-antigens during maturation.

Automimmune diseases

Disorders where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues.

Hypersensitivity

An abnormal immune response to an antigen that causes harmful effects.

Type I Hypersensitivity

Immediate hypersensitivity reactions, such as allergies and anaphylaxis.

Type II Hypersensitivity

Cytotoxic reactions involving IgG and IgM antibodies that lead to cell destruction.

Type III Hypersensitivity

Immune complex-mediated reactions that can damage tissues, such as in serum sickness.

Type IV Hypersensitivity

Delayed hypersensitivity mediated by T cells and macrophages.

Transplant Rejection

The immune response against transplanted organs or tissues, mediated by T cells.

Hybridoma

An immortal cell line produced by fusing a normal B cell with a malignant B cell.

Monoclonal Antibodies (MCA)

Antibodies produced from a single clone of B cells, specific to a single antigen.

Colostrum

The first milk produced by breastfeeding mothers, high in IgA antibodies.

Cytokines

Chemical messengers secreted by immune cells to regulate the immune response.

Phagocytosis

The process by which immune cells engulf and digest foreign particles or microorganisms.

Interleukin-2

A cytokine produced by T helper cells that stimulates B cell proliferation.

Gamma Globulin

The fraction of blood serum that contains antibodies, including immunoglobulins.

B Lymphocyte

A type of white blood cell responsible for humoral immunity and antibody production.

T Lymphocyte

A type of white blood cell involved in cellular immunity and immune regulation.

Primary Response

The initial reaction of the immune system to a specific antigen upon first exposure.

Secondary Response

The faster and more robust immune reaction upon re-exposure to the same antigen.

HLA system

Human leukocyte antigen system involved in immune responses and tolerance.

B cell

A lymphocyte that produces antibodies and presents antigens.

TCR

T cell receptor that recognizes specific antigens presented by MHC molecules.

CD4 receptors

Co-receptors found on helper T cells that assist in recognizing antigens.

CD8 receptors

Co-receptors found on cytotoxic T cells that bind to MHC class I molecules.

Eosinophils

White blood cells involved in combating multicellular parasites and allergic responses.

Macrophage

A type of phagocytic cell that engulfs and digests cellular debris and pathogens.

Neutrophil

A type of white blood cell that is the first responder to infection.

Basophil

A type of white blood cell involved in allergic responses, releasing histamines.

Antibody structure

Composed of four polypeptide chains, forming a Y-shaped molecule with variable and constant regions.

Immune System Cooperation

The collaboration between specific and non-specific defenses to control infections.

IL-1

Interleukin-1; secreted by macrophages to activate T and B cells.

Vaccination

The administration of a vaccine to stimulate an immune response.

Immunoglobulins

Another term for antibodies that play a crucial role in immune defense.

Memory T Cells

T cells that persist long after an infection, providing immunological memory.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that can be induced by cytotoxic T cells.

Granzyme

Serine proteases released by cytotoxic T cells that induce apoptosis in target cells.

Perforin

A protein released by cytotoxic T cells that creates pores in infected cell membranes.

Antigen-Presenting Cells (APC)

Cells that process and present antigens to T cells to initiate an immune response.

Immune Serum

Serum containing antibodies, used in passive immunization.

Interferons

Proteins that interfere with viral replication and have immune regulatory functions.

Antitoxins

Antibodies that neutralize toxins.

CFS

Colony stimulating factors that promote the differentiation and proliferation of blood cells.

Immediate Immunity

Direct transfer of antibodies, providing temporary protection against disease.

Long-lasting Immunity

Immunity that persists for extended periods after recovery from infection.

Blood Type Antibodies

Antibodies that can form in reaction to incompatible blood types.

Gamma Globulin Therapy

Treatment involving the use of gamma globulin containing antibodies.

Spleen

An organ involved in filtering blood and mounting an immune response.

Lymphatic System

Network of vessels and nodes through which lymph and immune cells circulate.

Pathogen

Any microorganism that can cause disease.

Virulence Factors

Properties of pathogens that enhance their ability to cause disease.

Antibody Production

The process by which B cells produce specific antibodies in response to antigens.

Reflexive Immunity

Rapid immune response upon re-exposure to a familiar pathogen.

IgG Half-Life

The time it takes for half of the circulating IgG antibodies to be eliminated from serum.

Complement System

A part of the immune system that enhances the ability to clear pathogens.

Lymphoproliferation

Proliferation of lymphocytes in response to an antigen.

Therapeutic Antibodies

Antibodies used in medical treatments, often derived from monoclonal antibodies.

Auto-antibodies

Antibodies that mistakenly target the body’s own tissues.

Plasma Cell Activation

The process where B cells differentiate into plasma cells to produce antibodies.

Cytosine

An immunological molecule involved in initiating inflammatory responses.

IgM Function

Acts as a first responder in primary immune reactions, effective against pathogens.

Cancer Immunotherapy

Use of immune responses or immune-modulating agents to treat cancer.

Th2 Cells

Helper T cells that assist B cell activation and antibody production.

Surveillance Mechanism

Immune monitoring to detect and eliminate potential cancer cells.

Antimicrobial Peptides

Short proteins that have the ability to kill bacteria and viruses.

Adjuvants

Substances that enhance the body's immune response to an antigen.

Vaccine Efficacy

The ability of a vaccine to produce a protective immune response.

Innate Immunity

Non-specific defense mechanisms that the body is born with.

Adaptive Immunity

Specific immune response acquired through exposure to antigens.

Immunodeficiency Disorders

Conditions where the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease is compromised.

DHT Cells

Cells involved in delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions, recruiting macrophages.

Cytotoxic Activity

The ability of specific immune cells to kill infected or malignant cells.

Antigenic Variation

Mutation in antigens that allows pathogens to evade the immune system.

Lysozyme

An enzyme that breaks down bacterial cell walls and is part of innate immunity.