Review of Key Concepts: Cell Injury, Immunity, and Cancer (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering cell injury, immunity, and cancer concepts referenced in the lecture notes.

Osmosis

Movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of higher water concentration to a region of lower water concentration.

Diffusion

Movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Active transport

Energy-dependent movement of substances across a membrane against their concentration gradient.

Phagocytosis

Cell eating; the process by which cells ingest solid particles or microorganisms.

Apoptosis

Preprogrammed cell death; an orderly process by which cells are eliminated.

Differentiation

Process by which cells become specialized for a specific function.

Carcinogen

A substance or agent that causes cancer (e.g., radiation, smoking).

Benign

Non-cancerous; does not invade or metastasize.

Malignant

Invasive, destructive cancer that grows rapidly and can invade surrounding tissue.

Metastasis

Spread of cancer from a primary site to distant organs.

Neoplasm

New and abnormal growth; a tumor.

Neoplastic

Cancer-causing or related to neoplasms.

Ischemia

Lack of blood supply/oxygen to tissue.

Necrosis

Cell or tissue death due to injury or lack of blood supply.

Atrophy

Decrease in size of tissue or organ due to disuse or aging.

Hypertrophy

Increase in cell size leading to enlarged tissue or organ.

Hyperplasia

Increase in the number of cells in a tissue.

Metaplasia

Replacement of one differentiated cell type with another.

Dysplasia

Abnormal appearance or organization of cells within a tissue.

Anorexia

Loss of appetite; decreased desire to eat.

Cachexia

Severe weight loss and muscle wasting seen in chronic diseases like cancer.

Immunity

The body's ability to fight off infection and disease.

Antigen

Foreign substance that activates an immune response.

Antibody

Protein produced by B cells that binds to an antigen.

Leukocytes

White blood cells; cells of the immune system.

IgE

Immunoglobulin E; rises in allergic (type I) reactions and is associated with eosinophils.

IgG

Immunoglobulin G; rises in later immune responses; indicates past or reactivation infection.

IgM

Immunoglobulin M; rises early in acute infections.

Type I hypersensitivity

IgE-mediated allergic reaction; can be local or progress to anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis

Severe systemic allergic reaction with airway swelling and potential shock; requires immediate epinephrine.

Epinephrine

Vasoconstrictor used to treat anaphylaxis and severe allergic reactions.

EpiPen

Autoinjector delivering epinephrine for severe allergic reactions; should be carried at all times.

Spleen

An organ that stores red blood cells and can enlarge (splenomegaly) during infections like mono.

Mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis; causes swollen lymph nodes and splenomegaly; spread via saliva.

Sputum

Material expelled from the respiratory tract; phlegm or mucus.

Hemoptysis

Coughing up blood from the respiratory tract.

Wheezing

A whistling sound from narrowed airways during breathing.

Colon cancer screening age

Screening typically starts around ages 40–45.

Change in bowel habits

Alterations in bowel routine (constipation/diarrhea) that can be an early sign of colon cancer.

Pap smear dysplasia

Cervical cell changes detected by Pap smear; indicators of dysplasia.

Occult

Hidden; occult blood refers to blood not visible to the eye (e.g., hidden in stool).

Autoimmune

A condition where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues.

Hypersensitivity

An exaggerated or inappropriate immune response to an allergen.

Vaccination

Introduction of an antigen to provoke immunity (active acquired immunity).

Active acquired immunity

Immunity developed after exposure to an antigen or vaccination.

Passive acquired immunity

Temporary immunity gained from another source (e.g., maternal antibodies).