Flashcards: Homeostasis + Response to Infection Test

• Pathogen


  Microorganism causing disease, like viruses and bacteria
• Transmission


  Spread of pathogens through various mechanisms
• External Defences


  Body's protection from pathogens on the skin, tracts, and organs
• Non-specific Immune Response


  General immune reaction to pathogens like inflammation and fever
• Antiviral Drugs


  Medications targeting viruses specifically
• Antibiotic Drugs


  Medications targeting bacteria specifically
• Passive Immunity


  Acquiring antibodies from external sources
• Active Immunity


  Immunity developed through exposure or vaccination
• Bacteria


  Prokaryotic unicellular organisms with simple structure
• Virus


  Infectious agent dependent on living cells for reproduction
• Vector


  Organism transmitting pathogens like insects or ticks
• Skin Defence


  Barrier preventing micro-organisms entry, secretes sebum
• Mucus


  Secretion trapping particles and inhibiting micro-organisms
• Phagocytosis


  Process of engulfing and digesting micro-organisms by phagocytes
• Inflammatory Response


  Body's reaction to tissue damage, aims to remove pathogens
• Monocytes


  White blood cells that differentiate into macrophages
• Neutrophils


  Abundant white blood cells involved in phagocytosis
• Dendritic Cells


  White blood cells detecting and processing foreign particles
• Inflammation Signs


  Redness, swelling, heat, and pain indicating tissue damage
• Mast Cells


  Cells activated by damage, initiating inflammatory response
• Passive Immunity Source


  Antibodies acquired through placenta or serum injections
• Active Immunity Source


  Immunity from natural exposure or vaccination
• Lysozyme


  Enzyme killing bacteria, found in tears and saliva
• Histamine


  Chemical that increases blood flow through vasodilation
• Heparin


  Prevents clotting in the immediate injury area
• Phagocytes


  Cells that consume micro-organisms via phagocytosis
• Pain receptors


  Stimulated by abnormal tissue conditions
• Pus


  Excretion of dead phagocytes filled with bacteria
• Fever


  Body temperature elevation above 37˚C
• Pyrogens


  Released by white blood cells, affecting thermoregulation
• Lymphatic system


  Network returning lost fluid to the circulatory system
• Lymph nodes


  Trap and destroy larger particles like bacteria
• B-cells


  White blood cells involved in antibody production
• T-cells


  Lymphocytes involved in destroying invading agents
• Antigen


  Substance causing a specific immune response
• Antibody


  Y-shaped protein produced in response to non-self antigens
• Plasma cells


  Secrete antibodies specific to antigens
• Memory cells


  Recognize antigens for future immune responses
• Killer T-cells


  Destroy invading antigens by secreting destructive chemicals
• Helper T-cells


  Secrete cytokines to attract more lymphocytes