Responding to Antigens and Innate Immunity

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about antigens, pathogens, and innate immunity.

Antigen

Unique molecules that can elicit an immune response.

Antibodies (Immunoglobulins)

Proteins produced by B lymphocytes that bind to specific antigens.

Immunogens

Antigens that elicit an immune response.

Allergens

Antigens that result in immediate hypersensitivity reactions.

Pathogens

Agents that cause disease.

Primary pathogens

Cause disease any time they are present.

Opportunistic pathogens

Only cause disease when the host's defenses have been weakened.

Antigenic drift

Process in which viruses gradually accumulate genetic mutations, causing changes to the viral antigens.

Antigenic shift

Abrupt change in the genetic code of a virus due to re-assortment of genes from different viral strains, resulting in significantly different antigens.

Barriers to infection

First-line defenses that provide innate resistance against pathogens.