Vaccination and antibiotics: Infection and response: Biology: GCSE (9:1)

• Vaccination

  Introduction of an antigen or a weakened or inactive form of a pathogen to generate immunity

  
• Lymphocyte


  The white blood cell responsible for antibody production

  
• Antibody


  A protein that binds to a specific antigen and triggers the pathogens to be destroyed

  
• Antibody production

  When a white blood cell called a lymphocyte produces antibodies
• Antigen


  A substance on a foreign cell or pathogen that triggers an immune response

  
• Memory cell


  A white blood cell that recalls the structure of a specific antigen to prevent the body from being infected a second time
• Herd immunity


  The resistance to the spread of a disease in a population which is due to the majority of individuals being immune

  
• Active immunity

  The process of exposing the body to an antigen or pathogen to generate an adaptive immune response

  
• Primary response


  The reaction of the immune system when exposed to a pathogen for the first time

  
• Secondary response

  The very quick reaction of the immune system when exposed to the same pathogen for a second time

  
• Antibiotic

  A chemical that kills or reduces the reproduction rate of bacteria

  
• Penicillin


  An antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming that is made from Penicillium mould

  
• Antibiotic-resistant strain

  A strain of bacteria that has mutated and is no longer treatable with standard antibiotics

  
• Painkiller


  A medicine which reduces the symptoms of disease but does not kill pathogens

  
• Antiviral drug


  A class of medication used to treat viral infections