Immunity and Immune Response

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to immunity and the immune response, helping to reinforce understanding for assessments.

Immunity

The body's ability to defend itself against disease and infection.

Innate Immunity

The part of the immune system that is present at birth, providing immediate but nonspecific defense against pathogens.

Adaptive Immunity

The acquired ability of the immune system to recognize and defend against specific pathogens.

Antigen

A substance that triggers an immune response or the production of specific antibodies.

Phagocytes

White blood cells that ingest and destroy pathogens and foreign material.

Natural Killer Cells

Lymphocytes that kill various infected cells or tumor cells by releasing cytotoxic granules.

Antimicrobial Proteins

Proteins that inhibit the growth of microorganisms.

Inflammation

The body's response to tissue damage, characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

Fever

An abnormally high body temperature that occurs during illness, enhancing the immune response.

Memory Cells

Long-lived immune cells that can recognize previously encountered antigens and mount a faster response upon re-exposure.

Cytokines

Proteins that mediate and regulate immunity, inflammation, and hematopoiesis.

Clonal Selection

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

Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)

A set of cell surface proteins essential for the adaptive immune system to recognize foreign molecules.

Antibody-Mediated Immunity

An immune response that involves B cells producing antibodies to neutralize pathogens.

Cell-Mediated Immunity

An immune response that involves T cells attacking infected or cancerous cells directly.

Eosinophils

White blood cells that are involved in combating allergic reactions and parasitic infections.

Basophils

White blood cells that play a role in allergic responses and inflammation.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Laboratory-produced antibodies that are identical and target specific antigens.

Active Immunity

Immunity that develops as a result of exposure to an antigen, either through infection or vaccination.

Passive Immunity

Immunity acquired by receiving antibodies from another source, such as through maternal transfer.

Tumor Immunotherapy

A treatment that uses immune cells to fight cancer, often by enhancing the activity of cytotoxic T cells.