chapter 11 vocab Flashcards
(75 cards)
pyrexia
fever; increase in body temperature, stimulates white blood cells to kill pathogens, inhibits the growth of many pathogens
thymocyte
immature T cell
afferent
moving into glands or tissues
efferent
moving out of glands/tissues
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
A disease caused by HIV leading to a significant weakening of the immune system
adaptive immune response
It is activated when the innate immune response is insufficient to control an infection. It requires exposure to a pathogen to recognize it as a threat, leading to the development of memory cells for future defense
adenoidectomy
The surgical removal of the adenoid, which is located behind the nasal cavity, often performed along with a tonsillectomy
allergens
Substances that are usually harmless but can cause allergic responses in some people. Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, pet dander, certain foods, and insect venom
allergist
A physician specializing in the study and treatment of allergies
allergy
An inflammatory response due to hypersensitivity to a substance that most people’s bodies perceive as harmless, such as pollen or certain foods. Histamine release during the immune response is a primary cause of allergy symptoms
anaphylaxis
A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Treatment often involves epinephrine administration
antibodies
Proteins that are very specific to the antigens they recognize and destroy, fitting onto the antigen like a key to a lock
antigens
Markers that tell the immune system whether something in the body is harmful or not, found on viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, and even normal cells of the body
apoptosis
Programmed cell death that is disrupted in some cancers, allowing malignant cells to avoid natural cell death and continue uncontrolled growth
autoimmune disease
The inability of the body to distinguish its own cells from foreign invaders, resulting in the production of antibodies that attack its own tissues
autoimmune reactions
Responses within the body where the immune system mistakenly initiates a response against the body’s own healthy cells, tissues, or organs, failing to distinguish them from harmful invaders
B cells
A type of lymphocyte that plays a significant role in the humoral immune response
benign
Cells that overgrow and divide in a controlled manner, remaining localized to a certain area. They are less dangerous compared to malignant cells because they do not metastasize
bone marrow
The primary lymphoid organ where B cells and T cells mature and are selected to attack pathogens. All blood cells, including lymphocytes, are formed in the red bone marrow
cancer
Abnormal cells that overgrow and have the ability to invade and harm tissues. Malignant cells differ from benign cells in that they exhibit uncontrolled growth and have the potential to metastasize
CD4 T cells
Helper T cells whose levels decline steadily in HIV-positive individuals, leading to weakened immune response
cell-mediated response
An immune response that involves T cells destroying abnormal cells when nonspecific innate immunity and humoral
immunity are not effective
chyle
A milky bodily fluid consisting of lymph and emulsified fats, absorbed from the intestines during digestion
cytokines
Proteins secreted by cells that act as chemical messengers in immune responses, directing immune cells to respond to and initiate inflammation