Immunology Terminology

Question 1

Pathogen

Answer 1

An organism or particle which transfers a disease from one organism to
another and causes damage to its host

Question 2

Infectious

Answer 2

A disease which may be transmitted from one individual to another

Question 3

Carrier

Answer 3

Shows no symptoms when infected (asymptomatic) but can pass the
disease on to another

Question 4

Disease reservoir

Answer 4

Where a pathogen is normally found
(this may be in humans or another animal)

Question 5

Endemic

Answer 5

A disease always present at low levels in an area (number of cases remains constant)

Question 6

Epidemic

Answer 6

Significant and rapid increase in the numbers of cases of a disease, often associated with rapid spread

Question 7

Pandemic

Answer 7

Rapid increase in the numbers of cases of a disease across a wide area
(globally) affecting many people

Question 8

Vaccine

Answer 8

Uses non-pathogenic forms, products or antigens from microorganisms to stimulate an immune response, which confers protection against subsequent infection.

Question 9

Vector

Answer 9

A living organism which transfers a disease from one individual to another

Question 10

Antibiotic

Answer 10

Substance produced by microorganisms that affect the growth of other microorganisms.

Question 11

Antibiotic resistance

Answer 11

When a microorganism that should be affected by an antibiotic is no longer susceptible to it

Question 12

Antigen

Answer 12

A protein that is recognised as non-self and stimulates
an immune response.

Question 13

Antibody

Answer 13

A protein produced by the humoral immune response. Recognises and neutralises antigens

Question 14

Toxin

Answer 14

A chemical produced by a microorganism, which causes damage to its host (can change the function of host cell or kill it)

Question 15

Antigenic drift

Answer 15

Small changes that occur in the surface proteins of viruses
(memory cells no longer recognise the pathogen)