Emerging Infectious Diseases: Immunology Basics

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the immune system and its components, including innate and acquired immunity.

Immune System

A complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against harmful pathogens.

Innate Immunity

The body's first line of defense, which recognizes conserved features of microorganisms and does not require prior exposure.

Acquired Immunity

An immune response that is specific to a particular pathogen, developing memory after first exposure, leading to enhanced responses upon subsequent encounters.

Phagocytosis

The process by which phagocytic cells engulf and digest microorganisms.

Antigen

Any foreign substance that can induce an immune response.

Effector Cell

A cell that exerts an immune response.

Antibody

An immunoglobulin molecule synthesized in response to an antigen that specifically binds to that antigen.

Antigen Presenting Cell (APC)

Cells that ingest, process, and present antigens to T cells, initiating an immune response.

Chemotaxis

The movement of phagocytic cells toward the site of inflammation in response to chemical signals.

Clonal Expansion

The process in which activated lymphocytes replicate to form a population of cells with the same specificity for a given antigen.

Affinity Maturation

The process that results in improved binding affinity of antibodies for their specific antigens after initial exposure.

Cytotoxic T Cell

A type of T cell that kills infected or cancerous cells by recognizing foreign peptides presented on the cell surface.

B Cell Activation

The process through which a B cell binds to an antigen, internalizes it, and presents it to T helper cells to undergo further activation.

Memory Cell

Long-lived immune cells that respond more rapidly and effectively to subsequent exposures to the same antigen.

Humoral Response

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

Cell-Mediated Response

The component of the immune response that involves T cells targeting and killing infected or altered cells.