chapter 28.3, 28.5, 28.7 (vaccines + drugs)

unfinished

antigen

any molecule/substance that stimulates the immune system to make antibodies against it + activates immune memory

vaccine

substance given to a host that induces artificial active immunity

• acts as an antigen, but does not cause the disease

vaccination (immunization)

inoculation of a host w/ a vaccine to stimulate protective active immunity

• booster may be required to enhance/restore protection

describe the 3 main approaches to making a vaccine 

1. subunit approach: only uses the very specific parts of a virus 

2. whole-microbe approach 

3. genetic approach (nucleic acid vaccine): uses the genetic material for specific proteins — the DNA or RNA

distinguish between a primary + secondary immune response

primary immune response - first encounter w/ pathogen is slow, with naive immune cells

secondary immune response - response is larger + faster, and more effective than the primary response

explain how vaccines stimulate active immunity

exposes the body to a safe, weakened or inactivated version of a pathogen. exposure contains an antigen that triggers the immune system to produce antibodies + memory cells without causing illness