Chapter 19 - The Immune System

Immune system

responsible for defending the body againts bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances that enter the body

Non-specific immune response

occurs when a bacteria, viruses, or any other type of foreign substance enters the body

Phagocytes

engulf and digest any foreign substances they encounter

Neutrophils

circulate in blood

Macrophages

reside mainly in the tissues

Humoral immune response

specific immune response that specialize lymphocytes called B-cells carry out in the blood and other body fluids

Cell=mediated response

specific immune response that other specialized lymphocytes called T-cells carry out

Hypersensitivity

condition in which the immune system produces an exaggerated response to a foreign substance, resulting in symptoms such as runny nose, swelling, and rash; commonly called allergy

Opportunistic infection

infection caused by pathogens that would not usually cause disease in healthy people; occurs mainly in patients whose resistance is low due to some type of immunodeficiency

Immunodeficiency

state in which the immune system is unable to respond adequately, increasing susceptibility to infection; the deficiency can be caused by drugs or disease

Anaphylaxis

extreme allergic reaction characterized by a rapid drop in blood pressure, breathing difficulties, hives, and abdominal cramps

Autoimmune disease

any of several disease caused by the failure of the body to distinguish between “self” and “non-self”, symptoms result from immune responses being directed againts the individual’s own tissues; examples include diabetes and psoriasis

Vaccination

administration of weakened or killed microorganisms to induce an immune response against the organism in order to induce immunity to an infectious disease

ELISA

test used to screen blood for the presence of antibodies to HIV

Immunization

process of inducing immunity to a particular infectious disease; may involve the administration of blood containing antibodies that provide short-term immunity or the administration of weakened or killed micro-organisms to induce an immune response