Grade 12G Biology EOT Review (Gen.BIO.M.101-B)

Flashcards covering infectious diseases, pathogens, Koch's postulates, disease transmission, patterns of disease, the immune system (nonspecific and specific), immunization, HIV/AIDS, and noninfectious diseases.

Infectious disease

A disease that is caused by a pathogen passed from one organism to another, disrupting homeostasis in the organism's body.

Pathogens

Agents that are the cause of infectious diseases; they include some types of bacteria, viruses, protozoans, fungi, and parasites.

Germ theory

A theory stating that some microorganisms are pathogens.

Koch's postulates

Experimental steps and rules published by Robert Koch for demonstrating that a specific organism causes a specific disease.

Reservoir

A source of a pathogen in the environment, which might be animals, people, or inanimate objects such as soil.

Carrier

An individual that is symptom-free but capable of passing the pathogen to others.

Vectors

Organisms that carry pathogens, most commonly arthropods such as biting insects (mosquitoes and ticks) and flies.

Endemic diseases

Diseases where small numbers of incidents are continually found within the population.

Epidemic

A particular disease that has a large outbreak in an area and afflicts many people.

Pandemic

An epidemic that is widespread throughout a large region, such as a country, continent, or the entire globe.

Antibiotic

A substance that can kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms, such as Penicillin.

Nonspecific immunity

Defenses that are not aimed at a specific pathogen; they protect the body from any pathogen the body encounters and represent the first line of defense.

Lysozyme

An enzyme found in saliva, tears, and nasal secretions that breaks down bacterial cell walls to kill pathogens.

Phagocytosis

The process by which phagocytic cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, surround and internalize foreign microorganisms.

Complement proteins

A series of about $20$ proteins found in blood plasma that enhance phagocytosis and can form complexes to create pores in a pathogen's membrane.

Interferon

A protein secreted by virus-infected cells that binds to neighboring cells and stimulates them to produce antiviral proteins to prevent viral replication.

Inflammatory response

A complex series of events involving chemicals and immune cells that increases blood flow and vessel permeability, resulting in pain, heat, and redness.

Lymphatic system

A system including organs and cells that filter lymph and blood, destroy foreign microorganisms, and absorb fat.

Lymph

The watery part of the blood (the plasma) that leaks out of capillaries to bathe all the cells in the body.

Lymphocytes

A type of white blood cell produced in red bone marrow that includes B cells and T cells.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by B lymphocytes that specifically react with a foreign antigen.

Antigen

A substance foreign to the body that causes an immune response and can bind to an antibody or T cell.

T cells

Lymphocytes produced in the bone marrow and matured in the thymus gland; includes Helper T cells and Cytotoxic T cells.

Cytokines

Chemicals released by activated cytotoxic T cells that stimulate immune system cells to divide and recruit them to the area of infection.

Passive immunity

Temporary protection against an infectious disease occurring when antibodies made by other people or animals are transferred or injected into the body.

Active immunity

Protection that occurs after the immune system is exposed to disease antigens and memory cells are produced, either from having the disease or through immunization.

Immunization (Vaccination)

The deliberate exposure of the body to an antigen so that a primary response and immune memory cells will develop.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

A serious health problem resulting from infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which infects and replicates in Helper T cells.

$CD4^+$ cells

Another name for Helper T cells, identified by medical professionals by the receptor on the outside of their plasma membrane.

Genetic Disorders

Noninfectious diseases caused by the inheritance of genes that do not function properly or from abnormal chromosome numbers.

Degenerative Diseases

Diseases that are the result of the body wearing out or the natural aging process, such as degenerative arthritis or arteriosclerosis.

Metabolic Diseases

Diseases resulting from an error in a biochemical pathway, such as phenylketonuria (PKU) or Type 2 diabetes.

Cancer

A disease characterized by abnormal cell growth interference with normal body functions.

Allergy

An abnormal response to environmental antigens, known as allergens, such as plant pollens or dust mites.

Anaphylactic shock

A severe allergic reaction involving a massive release of histamine that causes smooth muscles in the bronchioles to contract and restrict air flow.

Autoimmunity

A condition in which the immune system fails to distinguish between self and non-self and forms antibodies to its own proteins, injuring its cells.