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Vocabulary flashcards covering the concepts listed in the notes: vascular changes, cellular response to tissue injury, and the rapid, automatic, nonspecific nature of innate defense.
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Vascular
Relating to blood vessels; in inflammation, vascular changes such as vasodilation and increased permeability that facilitate immune cell arrival at damaged tissue.
Cellular response to tissue injury
The recruitment and action of leukocytes (e.g., neutrophils, macrophages) at damaged tissue as part of the inflammatory process.
Rapid
Happening quickly; in innate immunity, the immediate onset of defense after injury or infection.
Automatic
Inborn, not learned; functions without prior exposure to a specific pathogen.
Nonspecific defense
Innate immune defenses that protect against a broad range of pathogens without prior exposure.
Innate immunity
The rapid, automatic, nonspecific arm of the immune system present from birth, providing immediate defense against many pathogens.
Vascular
Relating to blood vessels; in inflammation, vascular changes such as vasodilation and increased permeability that facilitate immune cell arrival at damaged tissue.
Cellular response to tissue injury
The recruitment and action of leukocytes (e.g., neutrophils, macrophages) at damaged tissue as part of the inflammatory process.
Rapid
Happening quickly; in innate immunity, the immediate onset of defense after injury or infection.
Automatic
Inborn, not learned; functions without prior exposure to a specific pathogen.
Nonspecific defense
Innate immune defenses that protect against a broad range of pathogens without prior exposure.
Innate immunity
The rapid, automatic, nonspecific arm of the immune system present from birth, providing immediate defense against many pathogens.
Vascular
Relating to blood vessels; in inflammation, vascular changes such as vasodilation and increased permeability that facilitate immune cell arrival at damaged tissue.
Cellular response to tissue injury
The recruitment and action of leukocytes (e.g., neutrophils, macrophages) at damaged tissue as part of the inflammatory process.
Rapid
Happening quickly; in innate immunity, the immediate onset of defense after injury or infection.
Automatic
Inborn, not learned; functions without prior exposure to a specific pathogen.
Nonspecific defense
Innate immune defenses that protect against a broad range of pathogens without prior exposure.
Innate immunity
The rapid, automatic, nonspecific arm of the immune system present from birth, providing immediate defense against many pathogens.
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, characterized by vascular and cellular responses.
Phagocytosis
The process by which certain living cells, called phagocytes, engulf other cells or particles, such as bacteria, other microorganisms, and foreign matter, a key defense mechanism in innate immunity.
Pathogen
A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
First Line of Defense
Physical and chemical barriers that prevent pathogens from entering the body, such as skin, mucous membranes, tears, and saliva.
Skin
The body's largest organ, forming a primary physical barrier against pathogen entry.
Mucous membranes
Protective linings found in respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts that trap pathogens and contain antimicrobial substances.
Cilia
Tiny hair-like structures in the respiratory tract that sweep trapped pathogens out of the body.
Gastric acid
The highly acidic environment in the stomach that kills most ingested pathogens.
Lysozyme
An enzyme found in tears, saliva, and sweat that breaks down bacterial cell walls.
Defensins
Antimicrobial peptides produced by epithelial cells that directly kill pathogens.
Commensal bacteria
Beneficial microorganisms that live on and in the body, competing with pathogens for resources and space.
Second Line of Defense
Internal defenses activated once pathogens breach the first line, including phagocytes, inflammation, fever, and antimicrobial proteins.
Neutrophils
The most abundant type of phagocytic leukocyte; first responders to infection or injury, engulfing bacteria and dead cells.
Macrophages
Large phagocytic cells that engulf pathogens, cellular debris, and present antigens; also play a role in tissue repair.
Monocytes
Precursor cells to macrophages and dendritic cells, circulating in the blood before migrating to tissues.
Dendritic cells
Antigen-presenting cells that bridge innate and adaptive immunity by presenting pathogen fragments to T cells.
Natural Killer (NK) cells
Lymphocytes that recognize and kill virus-infected cells and tumor cells without prior activation.
Eosinophils
Leukocytes primarily involved in defense against parasites and in allergic reactions.
Basophils
Leukocytes that release histamine and other inflammatory mediators, important in allergic responses.
Mast cells
Tissue-resident cells that release histamine during inflammation and allergic reactions, similar to basophils.
Fever
An elevated body temperature, a systemic innate immune response that inhibits pathogen growth and enhances immune cell activity.
Pyrogens
Substances (e.g., from pathogens or immune cells) that induce fever.
Antimicrobial proteins
Proteins that directly kill pathogens or inhibit their growth, such as interferons and the complement system.
Interferons
Proteins released by virus-infected cells that warn neighboring cells to heighten their antiviral defenses.
Complement system
A group of plasma proteins that, when activated, enhances inflammation, promotes phagocytosis (opsonization), and directly lyses pathogens.
Opsonization
The process by which pathogens are marked for destruction by phagocytes, often by antibodies or complement proteins.
Chemotaxis
The movement of cells, such as leukocytes, towards a chemical signal (chemokine) released at a site of infection or injury.
Cytokines
Small proteins released by immune cells that act as chemical messengers, regulating immune responses and inflammation.
Chemokines
A type of cytokine that induces chemotaxis, directing immune cells to specific locations.
Acute inflammation
A rapid, short-lived inflammatory response aimed at eliminating the injurious stimulus and initiating tissue repair.
Chronic inflammation
Prolonged inflammation that can lead to tissue damage and may be associated with various diseases.
Vasodilation
The widening of blood vessels, increasing blood flow to an inflamed area and causing redness and heat.
Increased vascular permeability
Changes in blood vessel walls that allow fluid, proteins, and immune cells to leak into tissues, causing swelling (edema).
Edema
Swelling caused by the accumulation of excess fluid in body tissues.
Pain
A symptom of inflammation caused by the stimulation of nerve endings by inflammatory mediators and tissue swelling.
Redness (Rubor)
A classic sign of inflammation due to increased blood flow to the affected area.
Heat (Calor)
A classic sign of inflammation due to increased blood flow and metabolic activity at the site.
Swelling (Tumor)
A classic sign of inflammation due to fluid and cell accumulation in the interstitial space.
Loss of Function (Functio Laesa)
A classic sign of inflammation, indicating impaired mobility or use of the affected area.
Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs)
Receptors on innate immune cells that recognize conserved molecular patterns on pathogens (PAMPs) and host damage signals (DAMPs).
Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs)
Molecular structures common to broad groups of pathogens (e.g., bacterial LPS, viral RNA) that are recognized by PRRs.
Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs)
Molecules released by damaged host cells (e.g., ATP, nuclear proteins) that signal tissue injury and activate innate immunity.
Toll-like Receptors (TLRs)
A family of PRRs that recognize specific PAMPs and DAMPs, activating signaling pathways that lead to inflammatory gene expression.
Complement cascade
A series of sequential reactions involving complement proteins, leading to pathogen lysis, opsonization, and inflammation.
Classical pathway (complement)
Activated by antibody-antigen complexes or directly by certain pathogen surfaces, initiates the complement cascade.
Alternative pathway (complement)
Activated directly by pathogen surfaces, independent of antibodies, initiates the complement cascade.
Lectin pathway (complement)
Activated by mannose-binding lectin binding to microbial carbohydrates, initiates the complement cascade.
Membrane Attack Complex (MAC)
A pore-forming complex generated by the complement system that inserts into pathogen membranes, leading to lysis.
Adaptive immunity
A specific, acquired, and memory-based arm of the immune system that targets specific pathogens after initial exposure.
Immunological memory
The ability of the adaptive immune system to remember past encounters with pathogens, leading to faster and stronger responses upon re-exposure.
Epithelial cells
Cells that form protective linings on internal and external body surfaces, contributing to the first line of defense.