Unit 3 Red Letter Words

Platelets

fragments that assist in protecting the body by helping your blood clot

Red blood cells

Help transport oxygen throughout the body

White blood cells

One of the many cells in the blood that lack hemoglobin but have a nucleus and are active in the immune response. Lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are leukocytes.

Innate immunity

the body’s rapid, non-specific first line of defense, providing immediate protection against pathogens through physical barriers (skin, mucous membranes), chemical factors, and innate immune cells

Acquired immunity

A highly specific defense system that develops during a person's lifetime after exposure to pathogens, vaccines, or antibodies

Antigen

Anything that stimulates an immune response

B-cells

a type of lymphocyte (white blood cell) that matures in bone marrow and produces antibodies

Antibodies

a protein produced by B cells in the blood that works to impair pathogens. It is also called immunoglobulin.

Prodromal

Early signs or symptoms that precede the onset of a disease

Convalesce

to recover health gradually after sickness

B lymphocytes

a type of lymphocyte (white blood cell) that matures in bone marrow and produces antibodies

T Lymphocytes

a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune response by recognizing and attacking cells infected with foreign pathogens or cancer cells

Prions

any of various infectious proteins that are abnormal forms of normal cellular proteins.

Protists

Any eukaryotic protist of the phylum or subkingdom Protozoa

Fungi

saprophytic and parasitic spore-producing eukaryotic organisms that lack chlorophyll, such as molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms, and yeasts

Helmiths

a large, eukaryotic, multicellular, parasitic worm, such as a tapeworm, liver fluke, ascarid, or leech

pathogen

a disease-causing organism

Epidermis

the top layer of the skin that provides a barrier, makes new skin, and provides skin color

Dermis

\the middle layer of skin that contains collagen and elastin, grows hair, makes oil and sweat, and contains blood vessels and nerve endings

Subcutaneous fatty tissue

the bottom layer of the skin consisting of fat that cushions muscles and bones and helps to regulate body temperature

Inflammation

a localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection

Sepsis

The body’s immune system overreacts to an infection causing inflammation

Severe sepsis

Organs in the body begin to malfunction, blood pressure is low, and inflammation continues.

Septic shock

Extremely low blood pressure that does not respond to IV fluids.

Lymph nodes

any of the rounded masses of lymphoid tissue that are surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue, are distributed along the lymphatic vessels, and contain numerous lymphocytes which filter the flow of lymph passing through the node

lymph

a clear-to-white, watery fluid derived from blood plasma that acts as the body’s drainage and sanitation system

Fissures

a linear crack, tear, or deep groove in skin or tissue

Spirometry

a test that measures how well your lungs are working by measuring how much air you can inhale and exhale

Electrocardiogram

a measurement of heart electrical activity

Arrythmia

a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat

Tachycardia

a heat rate exceeding 100 beats per minute at rest

Bradycardia

a condition characterized by a resting heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute

Fibrillation

a common heart rhythm disorder characterized by rapid, disorganized electrical signals causing the upper chambers (atria) to quiver instead of beating effectively

Myocardial Infarction

caused by decreased or complete cessation of blood flow to a portion of the myocardium

Coronary Arteries

essential blood vessels that wrap around the heart, supplying oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.

cardiovascular system

the transport system of the body responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrients to the body and carrying away carbon dioxide and other wastes. It is composed of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

Pulse

the rhythmic expansion and recoil of arteries resulting from heart contraction

blood pressure

the pressure that blood exerts upon the walls of blood vessels, especially arteries, usually measured with a sphygmomanometer and expressed in millimeters of mercury

systole

phase of the cardiac cycle where heart muscles (primarily the ventricles) contract, forcing blood into the aorta and pulmonary artery

diastole

the phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes and allows the chambers to fill with blood

sphygmomanometer

A medical device designed to measure blood pressure