Understanding Infectious Diseases and the Immune System
Classified in Biology
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Infectious Disease
is caused by agents that have invaded the body
Pathogen
any agent that causes disease
Koch Postulates
rules for determining the cause of a disease
Mucous Membrane
epithelial tissue that protects the inferior surface of the body that might be exposed to pathogens
Inflammatory Response
events that suppress infection and speed recovery
Histamine
substance that increases the permeability of surrounding capillaries
Phagocytes
type of white blood cell that pass through capillary walls, ingest and destroy foreign matter
Neutrophil
type of phagocyte that squeeze through capillary walls
Macrophage
type of phagocyte that engulfs pathogens and cellular debris
Natural Killer Cells
large white blood cells that attack pathogen-infected cells
Complement System
proteins that become active when they encounter certain pathogens
Interferon
protein released by cells infected with viruses
Immune System
group of cells and tissue that recognize and attack foreign substances providing specific defenses
Lymphocyte
WBC of the immune system
Thymus
gland located above the heart that helps produce more lymphocytes
Spleen
large lymphatic organ that stores blood cells, breaks down aged blood cells, and helps with the development of WBC
T Cell
lymphocyte made and mature in bone marrow and mature in the bones
B Cell
lymphocyte made and matured in the bone marrow
Antigen
any substance that triggers an immune response
Immune Response
reaction of the body against an antigen
Helper T Cell
WBC needed for the development of antibodies
Cell-Mediated Immune Response
immune response that functions to defend cells against invasion of foreign substances
Cytotoxic T Cell
they recognize and destroy cells infected by pathogens
Humoral Immune Response
response that is produced by the action of antibodies
Plasma Cell
specialized cells that make proteins called antibodies
Antibody
protein that reacts to a specific antigen
Memory Cell
lymphocyte that only responds to the second attack of antigens
Immunity
ability to resist and infectious disease
Vaccination
introduction of antigens in the body to cause immunity
Allergy
physical response to an antigen
Asthma
respiratory disorder that causes the bronchioles to narrow
Autoimmune Disease
disease in which the immune system attacks the organism's own cells
AIDS
one of the deadliest diseases, the immune system loses its ability to fight off pathogens and cancers
HIV
AIDS results from infection by the human immunodeficiency virus
Opportunistic Infection
illness caused by pathogens that produce disease in people with weakened immune systems