chapter 14 Flashcards
What is the immune system?
The body’s collective set of defenses against infection and cancer.
What are the two systems of the immune system?
Innate immune system and adaptive immune system.
What are the main cells of the innate immune system?
Neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells.
What are lymphocytes?
White blood cells of the adaptive immune system that include T cells and B cells.
What is the function of B cells?
They proliferate into plasma cells that secrete antibodies.
What is the inflammatory response?
A reaction where blood vessels dilate, fluid flows to tissues, and pus may collect.
What are the four phases of the immune response?
Recognition, proliferation, elimination, and slowdown.
What is adaptive immunity?
Immunity acquired through activation of antigen-specific lymphocytes.
What is the lymphatic system’s role?
It clears excess fluid of debris and pathogens; swollen lymph nodes indicate infection.
What is the purpose of immunization?
To prime the body to recognize specific antigens and prevent diseases.
What are two types of vaccines?
Attenuated organisms and killed viruses.
What are allergies?
Reactions where the immune system responds to harmless substances as if they were harmful.
What is anaphylaxis?
A severe allergic reaction with symptoms like difficulty breathing and low blood pressure.
What is the chain of infection?
Pathogen, reservoir, portal of exit, means of transmission, portal of entry, and new host.
What is an epidemic?
A disease occurrence greater than expected within a population or area.
What are antibiotics used for?
To inhibit or kill bacterial infections; misuse leads to resistance.
What is a virus?
A microscopic organism that replicates inside host cells, causing diseases like the flu.
What is malaria caused by?
A protozoan infection transmitted by mosquitoes.
What is HIV?
A virus that attacks the immune system, leading to AIDS.
How can you support your immune system?
Get enough sleep, eat regularly, wash hands, and stay vaccinated.
