The Human Defence System Flashcards
What is a pathogen?
A pathogen is an organism that causes disease
What is immunity?
Immunity is the ability to resist infection
What is the general defence system?
The general defence system acts as a barrier to all pathogens attempting to gain entry to the human body
What is the specific defence system?
The specific defence system attacks particular (or specific) pathogens
What is an antigen?
An antigen is a foreign molecule that stimulates the production of antibodies
What is an antibody?
An antibody is a protein produced by white blood cells (called lymphocytes) in response to a specific antigen
What is induced immunity?
Induced immunity is the ability to resist disease caused by specific pathogens by the production of antibodies
What is active immunity?
Active immunity involves the production of a person’s own antibodies in response to foreign antigens that enter the body
What is natural active immunity?
Natural active immunity occurs when a pathogen enters the body in the normal way (i.e. when you get an infection)
What is artificial active immunity?
Artificial active immunity occurs when a pathogen is medically introduced into the body
What is a vaccine?
A vaccine is a non disease-causing dose of a pathogen (or it’s toxin), which triggers the production of antibodies
What is passive immunity?
Passive immunity occurs when individuals are given antibodies that were formed by another organism
What is natural passive immunity?
Natural passive immunity occurs when a child gets antibodies from its mother
What is artificial passive immunity?
Artificial passive immunity occurs when a person is given an injection containing antibodies made by another organism
What is a vaccination?
Vaccination is the administration (usually by injection) of a non-disease-causing dose of a pathogen (or it’s toxin) to stimulate the production of antibodies
