Microbes vs Man - Host-Pathogen Interactions

Flashcards focused on key vocabulary terms and definitions related to host-pathogen interactions, immunity, and related topics.

Innate Immunity

The first line of defense against infection, involving non-specific responses to destroy invading microbes.

Adaptive Immunity

A type of immunity that is activated by innate immunity and tailored to specific foreign antigens with memory function.

Phagocytosis

The process by which phagocytic cells recognize, ingest, and kill microbial invaders.

Antigens

Any substance recognized by the immune system that can elicit an immune response.

Cytokines

Proteins that are secreted by cells and used as communication signals between immune cells.

Efferocytosis

The process by which an infected, dying cell is engulfed by a neighboring uninfected cell.

Inflammation

A defensive reaction to tissue injury characterized by redness, warmth, pain, and swelling.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that are involved in defending the body against infection.

Macrophages

Large phagocytic cells originating from monocytes that ingest and kill foreign cells.

Neutrophils

The most abundant type of white blood cell that is essential for inflammatory events and phagocytosis.

Natural Killer (NK) Cells

A type of immune cell that detects and destroys stressed, malignant, or virally infected cells.

Complement System

A system of proteins in the blood serum that enhances the ability of antibodies to clear pathogens.

Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs)

Receptors that recognize unique structures on pathogens to activate immune responses.

Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)

A set of molecules displayed on cell surfaces that enable the distinction of self from non-self.

Memory Cells

Cells formed after infection or vaccination that persist and enable faster responses to future infections.

B Cells

Lymphocytes that differentiate into plasma cells and produce antibodies.

T Cells

Lymphocytes that play a central role in cell-mediated immunity.

Epitopes

Specific portions of antigens that are recognized and bound by antibodies.

Humoral Immunity

A type of adaptive immunity that is mediated by B cells and involves the production of antibodies.

Cell-Mediated Immunity

An immune response that is mediated by T cells rather than antibodies.

Cytotoxic T Cells

T cells that kill infected cells and cancer cells.

Helper T Cells

T cells that assist other immune cells in their functions.

Vasodilation

Widening of blood vessels that increases blood flow and is a response to injury.

Opsonization

The process of tagging pathogens to facilitate their recognition and engulfment by phagocytes.

Fever

A natural response to infection that can enhance immune function and reduce microbial growth.

Dendritic Cells

Antigen-presenting cells that process foreign matter and present it to T lymphocytes.

Lysosomes

Organelles in phagocytes that contain enzymes to digest engulfed materials.

Cytokine Storm

An excessive immune response where high levels of cytokines are released, leading to inflammation.

Eosinophils

White blood cells that are active in defending against parasitic infections and allergies.

Basophils

White blood cells involved in inflammatory reactions and allergic responses.

Mucous Membranes

Barrier systems that line body cavities and secrete mucus to trap pathogens.

Skin

The body's largest organ and a major barrier to infection.

Antimicrobial Peptides

Small proteins produced by the body that inhibit the growth of pathogens.

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs)

Structures that neutrophils release to trap and kill pathogens in extracellular spaces.

Vaccine

A preparation that stimulates an immune response to confer protection against specific pathogens.

Clonal Selection

The process by which specific lymphocytes are activated and proliferate in response to antigens.

Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs)

PRRs located on cell surfaces that recognize PAMPs and initiate immune responses.

Natural Immunity

Immunity that is developed through exposure to pathogens.

Artificial Immunity

Immunity gained through medical intervention, such as vaccines.

Adaptive Immunity

An immune response that is specific to a particular pathogen and involves memory.

Primary Immune Response

The immune response that occurs upon first exposure to a specific antigen.

Secondary Immune Response

A quicker and more potent immune response that occurs upon subsequent exposures to an antigen.

Immunomodulation

The alteration or regulation of immune system responses.

Epitope

The specific part of an antigen that is recognized by the immune system.

TLR

An abbreviation for Toll-Like Receptor, which recognizes pathogens and initiates an immune response.

B-Lymphocytes

Another name for B cells, which produce antibodies.

Cellular Immune Response

The immune response involving T cells that eliminate infected or malignant cells.

Pathogens

Microbes that cause disease in hosts.

Pathogenesis

The process by which pathogens cause disease.

Host-Pathogen Interaction

The dynamic relationship between infection-causing organisms and their human hosts.

MAMP

Microbe-Associated Molecular Pattern, recognized by the immune system.

Antibody Memory

The ability of the immune system to remember previous encounters with pathogens.

Humoral Response

The immune response that involves the production of antibodies by B cells.

Intruder Alert Cytokines

Cytokines such as interferons that signal the immune system of a viral infection.

Memory B Cells

B cells that survive long-term after an infection, ready to respond to future infections.

Cytokine Release Syndrome

A condition resulting from excessive cytokine production leading to systemic inflammation.

Innate Defenses

The body's initial, non-specific defenses against pathogens.

Adaptive Defense

The body’s specific response against particular pathogens, involving memory and recognition.

Gastrointestinal Defense

Mechanisms such as stomach acid and enzymes that protect against pathogens in ingested food.

T-cell Activation

Process in which T cells are activated by binding to antigens presented on MHC molecules.

MHC Class I

Molecules on all nucleated cells that present endogenous antigens to cytotoxic T cells.

MHC Class II

Molecules on antigen-presenting cells that present exogenous antigens to helper T cells.

Intracellular Digestion

The process through which phagocytes break down and digest engulfed pathogens.

Host Defenses

The various mechanisms and processes utilized by the body to protect against pathogens.

Bacterial Pathogens

Bacteria that can cause disease in a host.

Vasoactive Mediators

Compounds released by mast cells that influence blood vessel tone and diameter.

Vaccination

The administration of a vaccine to stimulate an immune response.

Leukocyte Differentiation

The process by which stem cells develop into different types of white blood cells.

Phagocyte Activation

The enhancement of phagocytic activity through immune signals.

Antibody Production

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

Specificity in Immunity

The ability of the immune system to specifically recognize and respond to distinct pathogens.

Immune Dysregulation

A malfunction in the immune response, potentially leading to autoimmune diseases.

Antigen Presentation

The display of antigens on cell surfaces for recognition by T cells.

Pathogen Recognition

The identification of pathogens by the immune system.

Extravasation

The process of immune cells moving out of circulation into tissues during inflammation.

Chemical Mediators

Substances that are released to promote inflammatory responses.

Mutant Pathogen Variants

Variants of pathogens that have mutations affecting their characteristics, such as immune evasion.