A-C Flashcards
(43 cards)
absorption
A laboratory technique that involves the removal of antibodies by the use of a specific antigen
Example: Red blood cell surface antigen
Define accuracy.
The proximity or closeness of a value to the true value
What does acquired mean in a biological context?
Incurred due to external factors and is not inherited
What are acute-phase proteins?
Normal serum constituents that increase or decrease in the presence of an infection, injury, or trauma to tissues; associated with inflammatory reactions
What is an adjuvant?
A substance added to vaccines to potentiate or enhance the immune response of the recipient
Examples include alum and Freund’s adjuvant
What role does aldolase play in the glycolytic cycle?
Key enzyme in the glycolytic cycle of Plasmodium parasite
Define adsorption.
A process of attachment of one substance to the surface of another; attachment of an antibody to a specific antigen receptor on a cell surface
What is affinity in immunology?
Binding strength between an antigenic determinant (epitope) and its complementary site (paratope) in the Fab region of the antibody
What condition is referred to as agammaglobulinemia?
Absence of all immunoglobulins in serum
Define agglutination.
Aggregation or clumping of cellular or particulate antigens to their corresponding antisera containing antibodies
What is an agglutinin?
An antibody capable of causing agglutination with multivalent surface antigens; usually belongs to IgM class
What does agglutinogen refer to?
A particulate or cellular antigen involved in agglutination or aggregation
What is alkaline phosphatase?
An enzyme that liberates inorganic phosphates from phosphate esters; used as an indicator label in immunoassays
Define allele.
Alternative forms of a gene at a particular locus or specific position on a chromosome
What is an allergen?
An antigen that triggers an allergic or hypersensitivity reaction
What is alum in the context of immunology?
An adjuvant commonly added to human vaccines
What is an amboceptor?
An anti-sheep red blood cell antibody that causes hemolysis of sheep red blood cells in the presence of complement
What characterizes an anamnestic response?
A rapid rise in the immunoglobulin concentration following subsequent exposure to an antigen; also known as a secondary immune response or booster response
What is an antibody?
An immunoglobulin (Ig) formed in response to an antigen
What does antibody titer indicate?
Highest dilution factor of a sample that still results in a visible reaction (i.e., agglutination)
Define antigen.
Any substance that, when introduced into the body, stimulates antibody production
What is an antigen-antibody complex?
Union of an antibody with its homologous antigen
What are antigen-presenting cells (APC)?
Accessory cells present in tissues that process antigens and display fragments on the cell surface in association with Class II major histocompatibility complex molecules
Examples include dendritic cells and macrophages
What does antigen valency refer to?
Number of antigenic determinants on an antigen
