Adult stem cells
Undifferentiated cells which have the potential to become a few types of cell
Antibiotic
Substance which prevents the growth or destroys bacteria
Antibiotic resistance
The ability of bacteria to not be harmed or destroyed by antibiotics
Antibodies
Produced by white blood cells, specific to a particular antigen
Antigens
Unique proteins on the surface of a pathogen
Antimicrobial
Substance which kills microorganisms
Antitoxins
Produced by white blood cells to neutralise bacterial toxins
Bacteria
Unicellular prokaryotes
Cilia
Tiny hair-like structures in the airways that waft mucus
Differentiate
The process where cells become specialised for a particular function
Dose
The amount of a drug you should take and how often
Double blind
When neither the patient nor the doctor know who is taking the drug or placebo
Efficacy
How effective the drug is at treating the disease
Embryonic stem cells
Undifferentiated cells which have the potential to become any type of cell
Foetal stem cells
Undifferentiated cells found in the umbilical cord
Formulation
A mixture made for a specific use, with measured ingredients
Fungi
A unicellular or multicellular eukaryotic organism
Genetic modification
The alteration of an organism’s genetic material
GM bacteria
Bacteria which have had their genetic material altered
Herd immunity
When most of a population are immune, so a disease does not spread
Immune system
How the body prevents pathogens from making us ill
Mucus
A sticky protein which coats airways and organs
Optimum dose
Amount of a drug to treat the disease, without causing too many side effects
Painkiller
Blocks/reduces pain nerve signals to the brain
