(state board) cells of the immune

Immune system

The body's mechanism for fighting diseases

Immunity

The body's defense against disease and healthy inability to contract an illness due to excellent function of the immune system

Antigen

A foreign substance recognized by the immune system as an invader

Pathogenic organism

A type of bacteria, virus, or other one-celled organism that causes disease

Antibody

A protein that helps neutralize foreign organisms entering the body

Adaptive immunity (acquired immunity)

The process of building antibodies to disease when you are sick

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (polymorphs)

White blood cells that attack bacteria and other pathogenic organisms

Phagocytosis

The process in which polymorphs attack bacteria and other pathogenic organisms

Macrophage

Large type of white blood cell that acts as a guard, constantly patrolling the body for foreign invaders

Lymphocyte

Produced in the lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus gland

B cells (B lymphocytes)

Make antibodies that help prevent future infection or reoccurrence; the basis of the humoral immune system

T cells

Help alert the immune system (cell mediated immunity)

Immunoglobulins (Igs)

Antibodies that protect against specific invaders

T-helper cells

Signal T-killer cells and alert B cells in the lymph nodes when a threat is confirmed

T-killer cells

Rush to the scene to battle and kill foreign organisms

T-suppressor cells

Watch the battle and signal T-killer cells to stop fighting once the threat is over

Vaccine

An artificial way of tricking the immune system into making antibodies (Igs)

Modified live vaccine

A vaccine that is still alive; radiation treatment renders the organisms unable to reproduce

Antibiotics

Drugs made from extracts obtained from living organisms and used to fight bacterial organisms

Acid mantle

The layer of lipids and sweat secretions on top of the skin that helps kill many bacteria

Langerhans cell

"Guard cells" that constantly patrol the epidermis

Dendrites

Tentacle-like structures on one end of the Langerhans cell

Pseudopod

The other end of the Langerhans cell; means "false foot," an oval-shaped foot that helps it move

Keratinocytes

Skin cells that secrete a protein substance called apolipoprotein-E (apo-E)

Apo-E (apolipoprotein-E)

Helps transport cholesterol, neutralizes potential carcinogens, and produces two forms of interleukin

Interleukin

Present in the cytoplasm of T cells; released as an alarm system when the T cell is alerted to a foreign body

Prostaglandins

Biochemicals that regulate inflammatory response

Cyclooxygenase (COX)

Enzyme that helps produce prostaglandin

Leukotrienes

Help bring investigatory white blood cells to the source of inflammation; make blood vessels more permeable, causing redness and swelling

Metastasis

Spreading of cancer

Oncology

Study of cancer

Oncologist

Cancer doctor

Oncogenes

Specialized genes that trigger cell duplication

Carcinogenic

Cancer causing

Carcinogens

Substances that can cause cancer

Immunosuppression

The slowing of the immune system

Free radicals

Oxygen atoms that are unstable because they lost an electron in their outer orbit

Singlet oxygen

A very unstable oxygenation that lacks the proper electrons for stability

Lipid peroxide

Fat that has been attacked by singlet oxygen

Hydroxyl radical

A very destructive form of free radical

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)

Any type of molecule that is a free radical and contains a form of oxygen

Inflammation

A complex series of biological and biochemical processes responding to a negative event affecting the body's cells

Subclinical inflammation

An irritation with no obvious symptoms

Antioxidants

Chemicals that can neutralize or chemically "lock up" free radicals

Autoimmunity

A condition in which the immune system cannot distinguish between antigens and the body's own cells

Autoantibodies

Antibodies that attack the body's own cells

Rheumatoid arthritis

An autoimmune disease that affects the joints in the body

Psoriasis

Causes rapid proliferation of the skin without proper desquamation, resulting in severe inflammation

Vitiligo

A condition in which the skin stops making pigment, resulting in white splotches on the skin

Scleroderma

Causes thickening of the skin

Lupus

An autoimmune disease historically associated with a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Form of lupus that affects the skin, joints, nervous system, and kidneys

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)

Form of lupus that affects the skin, producing hard round lesions

Discoid

The hard round lesions that form around hair follicles when a person has DLE

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE)

A sub-form of lupus presenting as a rash on sun-exposed areas like the trunk, shoulders, arms, and neck

Corticosteroids

Drugs used to suppress symptoms of an overactive immune system

Rheumatologist

Physician who specializes in treating autoimmune disease

Autoimmune flare

Occurs when someone is experiencing active symptoms of their condition

Remission

A period of time when a disease is inactive