IMM

Question 1

Epitope

Answer 1

The smallest piece of antigen that an antibody can recognize and bind to

Question 2

Lectin

Answer 2

A family of proteins that bind specific sugars on glycoproteins and glycolipids

Question 3

Class switching

Answer 3

Process by which a B cell changes the class of antibody it produces, while maintaining specificity

Question 4

Memory (immunological)

Answer 4

Characteristic of lymphocytes in the adaptive immune system wherein encounter with a given antigen for a second time produces a faster, more robust, and longer-lasting response

Question 5

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)

Answer 5

A genetic region encoding molecules involved in antigen presentation to T cells

Question 6

Integrin

Answer 6

Heterodimeric cell adhesion molecules

Question 7

Adjuvant

Answer 7

A substance that is added to a vaccine in order to improve or stimulate the immune response

Question 8

Granzyme

Answer 8

vA serine esterase that is present within the granules of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells

Question 9

Antigen

Answer 9

A foreign substance that elicits an immune response

Question 10

Hapten

Answer 10

A small molecule that only elicits an immune response when attached to a larger molecule

Question 11

Basophils

Answer 11

Mature cells with a bilobed nucleus and granules containing histamine and heparin. Important in immediate-type hypersensitivity.

Question 12

Perforin

Answer 12

A protein that facilitates granzyme entry into target cell cytosol

Question 13

Eosinophils

Answer 13

Mature granular cells that play a major role in parasitic infection and chronic allergies

Question 14

Phagocyte

Answer 14

Cells that engulf and destroy antigen

Question 15

T cells

Answer 15

Lymphocytes that function in cell-mediated immunity

Question 16

Plasma cell

Answer 16

Terminally-differentiated B cell that secretes antibody

Question 17

Monocytes

Answer 17

Phagocytic antigen-presenting cells located in the bloodstream that differentiate into tissue macrophages when stimulated

Question 18

Neutrophils

Answer 18

Mature phagocytic cells with a multi-lobed nucleus that contain toxic cytoplasmic granules with bactericidal capabilities

Question 19

Natural killer cells

Answer 19

Lymphoid cells containing granzyme and perforin that directly destroy infected or malignant cells

Question 20

Lymph

Answer 20

Fluid that drains into and through the lymphatic system

Question 21

Hypersensitivity

Answer 21

Excess immune response, leading to a harmful consequence (e.g. tissue damage)

Question 22

Cell-mediated immunity

Answer 22

Branch of adaptive immunity mediated by T lymphocytes

Question 23

Histamine

Answer 23

A vasoactive amine present in basophils and mast cells

Question 24

Opsonization

Answer 24

Coating of antigen with opsonin, in order to enhance phagocytosis

Question 25

Somatic hypermutation

Answer 25

Mechanism for increased antibody diversity and affinity, via V(D)J recombination following antigenic stimulation

Question 26

Dendritic cells

Answer 26

Cells that present processed antigens to T cells

Question 27

Effector cell 

Answer 27

Cells that actually do the job of fighting off microbes

Question 28

Interleukins

Answer 28

Cytokines that acts on other leukocytes

Question 29

Helper vs. Cytotoxic T cells

Answer 29

Helper: CD4+ T cells that mediate inflammation as well as the proliferation and differentiation of T and B cells 

Question 30

Inflammation

Answer 30

Response to trauma, characterized by increased blood flow as well as entry of leukocytes into the affected tissue

Question 31

Anergy 

Answer 31

Absence of a normal immune response by a cell type to a particular antigen 

Question 32

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)

Answer 32

The human major histocompatibility complex (MHC)

Question 33

Negative selection

Answer 33

Deletion of autoreactive T cells via apoptosis in the thymus

Question 34

Ligand

Answer 34

A molecule that is recognized by a receptor 

Question 35

Cytokines

Answer 35

Secreted proteins that work as mediators of immune and inflammatory reactions

Question 36

Positive selection

Answer 36

Selection of T cells that are capable of interacting with MHC in the thymus

Question 37

Hematopoiesis

Answer 37

The development of all blood cells from progenitor stem cells

Question 38

Antigen-presenting cells

Answer 38

Cells that present peptides from antigens on their surfaces, via major histocompatibility complexes (MHC)

Question 39

Complement

Answer 39

A system of serum proteins that ultimately produce effector molecules involved in opsonization, inflammation, and lysis

Question 40

Humoral immunity

Answer 40

Branch of adaptive immunity involving B cells 

Question 41

B cells 

Answer 41

Lymphocytes that function in humoral immunity through the secretion of antibodies

Question 42

Granulocytes

Answer 42

Myeloid cells that contain cytoplasmic granules 

Question 43

Pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)

Answer 43

Molecules widely expressed by microbial pathogens that are identified by pattern recognition receptors of the innate immune system

Question 44

Phagolysosome

Answer 44

Vacuole formed intracellularly via the fusion of a phagosome and lysosome for the destruction of antigen 

Question 45

Macrophages

Answer 45

Phagocytic antigen presenting cells derived from monocytes

Question 46

Antibody (Immunoglobulin)

Answer 46

A glycoprotein secreted by plasma cells, composed of two identical light (L) chains and two identical heavy (H) chains

Question 47

Leukocyte

Answer 47

White blood cells

Question 48

Exudate

Answer 48

A fluid rich in protein and cellular elements that oozes out of blood vessels due to inflammation

Question 49

Adaptive immunity

Answer 49

Branch of the immune system that requires expansion and differentiation of lymphocytes in response to pathogens

Question 50

Innate immunity

Answer 50

All the immune defenses that lack immunologic memory

Question 51

Germinal centers

Answer 51

Areas within secondary lymph tissue where B cell maturation occurs 

Question 52

Respiratory burst

Answer 52

Oxidative reaction that occurs in phagocytic cells for destruction of antigen