1.1 Mystery Infections

Antibody

An antigen-binding immunoglobulin, produced by B cells, that functions as the effector in an immune response

Antigen

A foreign macromolecule that does not belong to the host organism and elicits an immune response

Bioinformatics

The collection, classification, storage, and analysis of biochemical and biological information using computers especially as applied in molecular genetics and genomics

Concentration

The amount of a specified substance in a unit amount of another substance

ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbant Assay)

A quantitative in vitro test for an antibody or antigen in which the test material is absorbed on a surface and exposed either to a complex of an enzyme linked to an antibody specific for the antigen or an enzyme linked to an anti-immunoglobulin specific for the antibody followed by reaction of the enzyme with a substrate to yield a colored product corresponding to the concentration of the test material

Enzyme

A protein serving as a catalyst; a chemical agent that changes the rate of reaction without being consumed by the reaction

Genome

The complement of an organism's genes; an organism's genetic material

Medical Intervention

Any measure whose purpose is to improve health or alter the course of disease

Outbreak

A sudden rise in the incidence of a disease

Pathogen

A specific causative agent of disease

Primer

A molecule (a short strand of RNA or DNA) whose presence is required for formation of another molecule (a longer chain of DNA)

Serial dilution

A stepwise dilution of a substance in solution

Solute

A substance dissolved in another substance

Solution

A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances, which may be solids, liquids, gases, or a combination of these

Solvent

A substance, usually a liquid, capable of dissolving another substance

Substrate

The reactant on which an enzyme works