QUIZ #2 STUDY GUIDE

First line of defense

Physical and mechanical barriers that prevent the entry of pathogens into the body.

Second line of defense

Inflammation, a quick and nonspecific response to injury or infection that aims to neutralize and limit the cause of injury, clean the site through phagocytosis, and promote healing.

Neutrophils

Inflammatory cells that neutralize and destroy invading bacteria or microorganisms through phagocytosis.

Monocytes

Inflammatory cells that later become macrophages or dendritic cells and play a role in phagocytosis and alerting other blood cells to help kill pathogens.

Eosinophils

Inflammatory cells involved in allergic reactions.

Lymphocytes

Inflammatory cells that play a role in the adaptive immune response.

Opsonization

The process of coding pathogens with antibodies or complement proteins to enhance phagocytosis.

Complement system

A group of proteins produced by the liver that help in inflammation and phagocytosis through opsonization and other mechanisms.

Chemical mediators of inflammation

Substances such as prostaglandins, histamine, and nitric oxide that play a role in vasodilation, pain, and other aspects of inflammation.

Fever

A systemic response to inflammation characterized by increased body temperature, which can help the body fight off infections.

Wound healing

The process of repairing damaged tissue through clotting, inflammation, proliferation, angiogenesis, and collagen production.

Acute inflammatory response

A rapid and localized response to tissue injury characterized by redness, swelling, and pain.

Chronic inflammatory response

A prolonged and persistent inflammatory process that can lead to chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and tendinitis.

Adaptive immunity

The immune response mediated by B and T cells, which are able to recognize and remember specific antigens.

Humoral immunity

The immune response mediated by antibodies produced by plasma cells in response to antigens.

Cell-mediated immunity

The immune response mediated by cytotoxic T cells, which can kill infected or abnormal cells.

Hypersensitivity

An altered immune response to an antigen that results in disease or damage to the individual, classified into four types.

Opportunistic infections

Infections caused by non-pathogenic microorganisms that become pathogenic in individuals with immune deficiencies.

Primary immune deficiency

Rare congenital disorders that result in immune system defects.

Secondary immune deficiency

Acquired immune deficiencies caused by other conditions such as pregnancy, aging, and stress.

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus, the virus that attacks and destroys CD4 T cells and can lead to AIDS if left untreated.

AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, the late stage of HIV infection characterized by severe depletion of CD4 T cells and increased susceptibility to infections.

Clinical progression of HIV

The stages of HIV infection, including initial viremia, latency, and the onset of AIDS symptoms.

Clinical manifestation of AIDS

The clinical features associated with AIDS, including a decrease in CD4 count and a weakened immune system.

Opportunistic infections

Infections caused by microorganisms such as protozoa, fungi, bacteria, and viruses that take advantage of a weakened immune system.

Cancer

A disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body.

Kaposi sarcoma

The most common opportunistic infection associated with HIV/AIDS, characterized by the development of abnormal skin lesions.

Brain lymphoma

An opportunistic infection that affects the brain and is commonly seen in individuals with HIV/AIDS.

Cervical cancer

A type of cancer that affects the cervix and is associated with certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV).

Fever

A symptom of infection that indicates the immune system is responding to the presence of pathogens.

Pathogenicity

The ability of an infectious agent to cause disease by causing harm to the host.

Opportunism

The phenomenon in which normally benign microorganisms become pathogenic due to a decrease in the host's resistance.

Virulence

The capacity of a pathogen to cause severe disease.

Agent-host interaction

The combination of a pathogen's pathogenicity and the host's defense mechanisms.

Zoonosis

Infections that are harbored in animals and can be transmitted to humans.

Incubation period

The time between exposure to an infectious agent and the onset of symptoms.

Prodomal stage

The stage of infection characterized by non-specific infectious symptoms.

Invasion period

The stage of infection characterized by specific signs and symptoms.

Convalescence

The stage of infection in which the host's immune and inflammatory systems succeed in resolving the infection and promoting recovery.

Pathogenesis of fever and acute phase response

The process by which infection leads to the development of fever and the activation of the acute phase response, involving the release of various cytokines and other immune molecules.

Colonization

The establishment of microorganisms on a body surface or within a host.

Invasion

The process by which microorganisms enter and spread within the host's tissues.

Multiplication

The growth and replication of microorganisms within the host's tissues.

Dissemination

The spread of microorganisms from the initial site of infection to other areas of the body.

Biofilm

A community of microorganisms that adhere to a surface and can resist the immune system and antimicrobial treatments.

Bacterial infections

Infections caused by bacteria, which can be classified based on their shape (cocci, bacilli, spirochetes) and their staining characteristics (gram-positive, gram-negative).

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)

Toxic components present in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria that can activate the immune system and cause inflammation.

Bacteremia

The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.

Septicemia

A severe infection caused by bacteria that has spread throughout the body via the bloodstream.

Fungal infections

Infections caused by fungi, which can be superficial or opportunistic and often affect individuals with weakened immune systems.

Mycoses

Another term for fungal infections.

Protozoa

Single-celled organisms that can cause parasitic infections in humans.

Helminths

Multicellular parasites, such as worms, that can cause infections in humans.

Vector

An organism, often an insect, that carries and transmits a pathogen to a host.

Viral infections

Infections caused by viruses, which are obligate intracellular microorganisms that can specifically target and infect different types of cells in the body.

Antigenic shifts

Mutations in the genes and antigens of viruses that can lead to the emergence of new variants and strains.

SARS

Severe acute respiratory syndrome, a viral respiratory illness caused by the SARS coronavirus.

MERS

Middle East respiratory syndrome, a viral respiratory illness caused by the MERS coronavirus.

COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019, a viral respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Spike protein

A protein on the surface of the coronavirus that allows it to bind to ACE2 receptors on host cells and facilitate viral entry.

mRNA

Messenger RNA, a type of RNA that carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes for protein synthesis.

General adaptation syndrome (GAS)

A non-specific physiological response to stressors that allows the body to adapt and cope with stress.

Acute stress

Short-term stress that activates the body's fight or flight response.

Chronic stress

Long-term stress that can have negative effects on the body's physiological and psychological well-being.

Alarm phase

The initial phase of the general adaptation syndrome, characterized by the body's recognition and response to a stressor.

Resistance or adaptation phase

The phase of the general adaptation syndrome in which the body adapts to the ongoing stressor and remains on guard.

Exhaustion phase

The final phase of the general adaptation syndrome, characterized by the depletion of the body's resources and increased vulnerability to stress-related illnesses.

Homeostasis

The state of balance and stability within the body's internal environment.

Allostasis

The process of achieving and maintaining homeostasis through adaptive physiological responses to stress.

Physiology of the acute stress response

The body's immediate physiological response to stress, involving both neural (sympathetic) and hormonal (pituitary-adrenal) pathways.

Cortisol

A glucocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that plays a key role in the body's response to stress.

Metabolic response

The physiological changes in metabolism that occur in response to stress, including increased mobilization of glucose for energy.

Cardiovascular effects

The effects of stress on the cardiovascular system, including increased heart rate, myocardial contractility, and blood pressure.

Adrenal gland

An endocrine gland located on top of the kidneys that plays a crucial role in the body's response to stress, producing hormones such as epinephrine and cortisol.