BIOL 223: Topic 8 - Microbial Pathogenesis and Host Defenses

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to microbial pathogenesis and host defenses as presented in the lecture notes.

Biofuel

A type of fuel derived from living biomass, often used as an alternative to fossil fuels.

Symptoms

Changes in body function that are felt by a patient as a result of disease.

Signs

Changes in a body that can be measured or observed as a result of disease.

Syndrome

A specific group of signs and symptoms that accompany a disease.

Diagnosis

The identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms.

Epidemiology

The study of the distribution, frequency, and spread of diseases within populations.

Sporadic

Infrequent and scattered cases of a disease in a community.

Endemic

A disease that is constantly present in a particular population.

Epidemic

An outbreak of a disease in a community when the number of cases exceeds that expected.

Pandemic

A worldwide epidemic that occurs over a wide geographic area.

Incidence

The number of new cases of a disease occurring in a specified time period divided by the number of individuals at risk.

Prevalence

The total number of affected individuals in a population at a specified time divided by the total number of individuals in the population.

Acute disease

A disease with rapid onset of symptoms that lasts only a short time.

Chronic disease

A disease with a slow onset of symptoms and long-lasting effects.

Subacute disease

A disease that is intermediate between acute and chronic.

Subclinical disease

A type of disease with no noticeable signs or symptoms.

Latent disease

A disease in which the causative agent is inactive but can reactivate later.

Local infection

An infection that is confined to a specific area of the body.

Systemic infection

An infection that affects the entire body, often in the bloodstream.

Sepsis

A toxic inflammatory condition arising from the spread of microbes or their toxins.

Primary infection

The initial acute infection that causes the illness.

Secondary infection

An opportunistic infection that occurs after a primary infection.

Quorum sensing

A process of microbial communication that enables the regulation of gene expression.

Commensal

Microorganisms that do not harm or benefit their host.

Opportunistic pathogen

An organism that only causes disease in individuals with compromised immune systems.

Phagocytosis

The process by which phagocytes engulf and digest pathogens.

Innate immunity

The non-specific first line of defense against pathogens.

Adaptive immunity

The specific immune response acquired through contact with specific pathogens.

Antigen

A substance that triggers an immune response to produce specific antibodies.

Antibody

Proteins produced in response to an antigen that can bind to that antigen.

Immunoglobulins

Serum antibodies, often referred to as gamma globulins.

SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency)

A genetic disorder characterized by the absence of both B and T lymphocytes.

Gene therapy for SCID

A treatment involving the introduction of a normal gene to correct genetic deficiencies.