Animal Immune Systems Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from a lecture on animal immune systems.

Innate Immunity

Immunity present from birth, involving recognition of broad pathogen ranges and rapid response.

Adaptive Immunity

Immunity that involves specific pathogen recognition, a slower response, and immunological memory; found only in vertebrates.

Pathogen

A bacterium, fungus, protist, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.

Antigen

Molecules found in pathogens that the immune system recognizes as non-self, triggering an immune response.

Leukocytes

White blood cells involved in innate and adaptive immune responses, including phagocytic cells.

TLRs (Toll-like receptors)

Pattern recognition receptors that receive signals indicating pathogen presence and alert immune cells.

Phagocytosis

The process by which certain cells engulf and destroy microorganisms and cellular debris.

Histamine

A local regulator released by mast cells that dilates blood vessels and is involved in the inflammatory response.

Macrophages

Phagocytic leukocytes that kill pathogens and chemically signal other immune response cells.

Chemokines

Signaling molecules released by injured tissues and macrophages that attract immune cells to the site of injury.

Cytokines

Signaling molecules, other than chemokines, released by macrophages that affect various aspects of the immune response, such as fever and leukocyte production.

Lymphocytes

Specialized cells (B cells and T cells) involved in the adaptive immune response.

Antibodies

Proteins produced and secreted by B cells that bind to specific antigens, flagging pathogens for attack.

B-cell receptors (BCRs)

Receptors on B cells that recognize and bind to specific antigens, leading to antibody production.

Immunoglobulins (Ig)

The protein class to which B-cell receptors and antibodies belong.

T-cell receptors

Receptors on T cells that recognize antigens presented by other cells, initiating a cell-mediated immune response.

Epitope

The specific site on an antigen that is recognized and bound by an antibody or T-cell receptor.

Clonal Selection

The process by which lymphocytes with receptors that bind a specific antigen are activated and cloned.

MHC Protein

Major histocompatibility complex protein presents antigens to T-cells.

Cytotoxic T cells

Activated CD8+ T cells that destroy infected cells in the cell-mediated immune response.

Helper T cells

Activated CD4+ T cells that secrete cytokines to help activate B cells and cytotoxic T cells.

Plasma cells

Activated B cells that secrete antibodies.

Memory cells

B and T cells generated after an initial exposure to an antigen that provide long-term immunity.

Vaccine

A preparation of weakened or inactive pathogens used to induce immunological memory without causing disease.

Allergies

Hypersensitive reactions to harmless antigens (allergens) due to IgE antibody production.

Autoimmune diseases

Diseases in which the immune system attacks the body's own cells and tissues.