Biology Module 7 Non infectious disease Vocab

Active acquired immunity

Immunity developed when the body's own immune system produces antibodies and memory cells after exposure to an antigen through infection or vaccination.

Adaptive immunity

The specific immune response that recognises particular pathogens and develops immunological memory through B and T lymphocytes.

Agglutination

The clumping together of pathogens caused by antibodies binding to antigens, making pathogens easier for phagocytes to destroy.

Allergen

A normally harmless substance that triggers an allergic immune response.

Allergy

An exaggerated immune response to an allergen involving the release of histamine.

Antibiotic

A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria but is ineffective against viruses.

Antibody

A protein (immunoglobulin) produced by B cells that specifically binds to an antigen to neutralise or mark it for destruction.

Antigen

A molecule, usually on the surface of a pathogen, that stimulates an immune response.

Antihistamines

Medicines that reduce allergic symptoms by blocking the effects of histamine.

Antiseptic

A chemical applied to living tissue to kill or inhibit microorganisms and prevent infection.

Antiviral

A drug that inhibits the replication of viruses.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that removes damaged, infected or unnecessary cells.

Autoimmune disease

A disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells.

B cell

A lymphocyte that produces antibodies and forms memory B cells as part of the adaptive immune response.

B lymphocyte

Another name for a B cell.

B-memory cell

A long-lived B cell that rapidly produces antibodies upon re-exposure to a specific antigen.

Bacteria

Single-celled prokaryotic microorganisms; some cause disease while many are harmless or beneficial.

Biological magnification

The increase in concentration of toxins in organisms at successive trophic levels of a food chain.

Bush medicine

Traditional Indigenous Australian medicines made from native plants and natural materials to treat illness and injury.

Cancer

A disease caused by uncontrolled cell division due to mutations disrupting the cell cycle.

Carcinogen

An agent that increases the risk of cancer by causing DNA damage or mutations.

Cell differentiation

The process by which unspecialised cells develop into specialised cells with specific functions.

Cell-mediated immunity

The adaptive immune response involving T cells that destroy infected or abnormal body cells.

Chemical barriers

Chemicals such as stomach acid, lysozyme and sebum that inhibit or destroy pathogens.

Chemical defences

Protective chemicals produced by the body that prevent pathogen growth or survival.

Cilia

Tiny hair-like structures lining the respiratory tract that move mucus and trapped pathogens out of the airways.

Complement protein system

A group of plasma proteins that assist the immune response by destroying pathogens, promoting inflammation and enhancing phagocytosis.

Cytotoxic T cell

A T lymphocyte that kills infected, cancerous or transplanted cells displaying foreign antigens.

Dengue fever

A viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes that causes fever, pain and, in severe cases, haemorrhagic fever.

Disease

A condition that impairs normal body function and produces identifiable signs or symptoms.

Epidemic

A rapid increase in disease cases within a specific population or region.

Epidemiology

The study of the distribution, causes and control of diseases within populations.

Fungi

Eukaryotic organisms, including yeasts and moulds, some of which cause infectious diseases.

Helper T cell

A T lymphocyte that activates B cells, cytotoxic T cells and macrophages by releasing cytokines.

Histamine

A chemical released by mast cells that causes inflammation by increasing blood flow and blood vessel permeability.

Host

An organism that provides nutrients and a living environment for a pathogen or parasite.

Humoral immunity

Antibody-mediated immunity involving B cells and antibodies circulating in body fluids.

Hygiene

Practices that reduce the spread of disease-causing microorganisms.

Immunoglobulin

Another name for an antibody.

Inflammation

A non-specific immune response characterised by redness, heat, swelling and pain due to increased blood flow and immune cell activity.

Innate immunity

Non-specific defence mechanisms present at birth that provide immediate protection against pathogens.

Koch

German microbiologist who developed Koch's postulates to establish links between pathogens and diseases.

Lymph

Tissue fluid that circulates through lymphatic vessels carrying immune cells and waste products.

Lymphatic system

A network of vessels, lymph nodes and organs that returns tissue fluid to the bloodstream and supports immune function.

Lymphocyte

A white blood cell involved in adaptive immunity, including B cells and T cells.

Macrophage

A phagocytic white blood cell that engulfs pathogens and presents antigens to T cells.

Malaria

A disease caused by Plasmodium protozoa transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes.

Macro-parasite

A large parasite, such as worms or ticks, that lives on or inside a host.

Memory T cell

A long-lived T cell that rapidly responds to future infections by the same pathogen.

MHC (Major Histocompatibility Complex)

Cell surface proteins that display antigens to T cells, allowing recognition of infected or foreign cells.

Mucous membrane

A lining of body passages that secretes mucus to trap pathogens.

Neutrophil

The most abundant white blood cell that rapidly engulfs and destroys pathogens by phagocytosis.

Pandemic

An epidemic that spreads across multiple countries or continents.

Passive barrier

A physical or chemical defence that prevents pathogen entry without requiring an immune response.

Passive immunity

Short-term immunity gained through the transfer of ready-made antibodies rather than producing them.

Pasteur

French scientist who developed germ theory, pasteurisation and early vaccines.

Pasteurisation

Heating food or liquids to kill harmful microorganisms while preserving quality.

Pathogen

A disease-causing microorganism or infectious agent.

Pesticide

A chemical used to kill or control pests such as insects, weeds or fungi.

Pesticide resistance

The ability of pests to survive pesticide exposure due to natural selection acting on resistant individuals.

Phagocytosis

The process by which cells such as macrophages and neutrophils engulf and digest pathogens.

Physical barrier

Structures such as skin or mucous membranes that physically prevent pathogen entry.

Primary response

The immune response following the first exposure to an antigen, resulting in antibody production and memory cell formation.

Postulates

A set of criteria developed by Koch to determine whether a microorganism causes a particular disease.

Prions

Infectious misfolded proteins that cause neurodegenerative diseases.

Protozoan

A single-celled eukaryotic organism; some species are parasitic and cause disease.

Quarantine

The isolation of individuals, animals or goods to prevent the spread of infectious disease.

Organ rejection

An immune response against a transplanted organ recognised as foreign.

Specialisation

The development of cells with structures and functions adapted to specific roles; another term for cell differentiation.

Spontaneous generation

The disproven theory that living organisms arise from non-living matter.

Suppressor T cell (Regulatory T cell)

A T cell that suppresses immune responses to prevent excessive reactions and autoimmunity.

T cell

A lymphocyte involved in cell-mediated immunity that matures in the thymus.

T lymphocyte

Another name for a T cell.

Vaccination

The administration of antigens to stimulate active immunity without causing disease.

Vector

An organism that transmits a pathogen from one host to another.

Virus

A microscopic infectious agent consisting of genetic material enclosed in a protein coat that can only reproduce inside living host cells.