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TERMINOLOGY

Antibody - A specific protein (immunoglobulin) which recognizes and binds to a specific antigen. Circulating antibodies are produced and secreted by plasma cells.

Antigen - Any molecule (usually a protein or glycoprotein) which can be recognized by a specific antibody.

Autoimmune disease - A disease in which the body produces antibodies against its own cells

Basophils - Granular leukocytes, which play a role in the inflammatory responses

Cell mediated immunity - Specific response to non-self eukaryotic cells. Aids in defence against cells infected with viruses, cancerous cells and transplanted tissue.

Cytotoxic T-Cells - T lymphocytes capable of binding with and destroying, non self eukaryotic cells, cancerous or cells infected with viruses.

Helper T Cells - T-lymphocytes which activate other T cells and B lymphocytes

Histamine - Substance released from mast cells (and some granular leukocytes), which is responsible for inflammation and allergic reactions.

Humoral Immunity - The specific response to foreign antigens. It involves the production of antibody by plasma cells, leading to the destruction of pathogens. Also called antibody-mediated immunity.

Inflammatory Response - The response of body tissue to injury or infection. It causes swelling, redness and heat. The response is due to dilation and leaking of blood vessels and phagocytosis.

Interferon - Chemicals produced by animal cells to response to viral infection. They interfere with viral replication and help cells resist infection.

Leukocytes - White blood cells

Lymphocyte - An agranular white blood cell, important in the immune response. There are T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes.

Mast cells - Large cells in connected tissue, which produce and secrete histamine. They are important in the inflammatory response and in allergic reactions.

Memory cells - Cells produced by B or T lymphocytes in response to recognition of a foreign antigen. They remain in the circulation for many years.

Natural Killer (NK) Cells - Cells which can destroy cells which have infected with viruses. They can also destroy some tumoral cells. Part of the bodies non-specific defences.

Non-specific defence mechanisms - Also called innate defences. Includes barriers to entry, the inflammatory response, and other defences that provide general protection against infection.

Parasite - Organisms which live and feed on or in another organism.

Pathogen - A parasite, micro-organism or another agent which causes an infectious disease.

Phagocytes - A leukocyte which engulfs, ingests and digests foreign matter such as pathogens, debris or damaged cells.

Plasma cells - B lymphocytes which produce and secrete large quantities of antibody.

Platelets - Cell fragments found in blood. They assist in blood clotting and in the the inflammatory response.

Prion - A protein molecule which acts as a pathogenic agent.

Specific Immunity - Specific immunity includes cell mediated immunity and antibody mediated immunity. It is a response to a specific antigen.

T-Cell Receptor - Immunoglobulin molecule present on the surface of T lymphocytes. They bind with foreign antigens.

Vaccination - Deliberate introduction of foreign antigens into the body, so that the body mounts an immune response.

Vector - An organism which carries a pathogen from one host to another.

Viroid - A pathogenic agent composed of nucleic acid.

Virus - A pathogenic agent composed of nucleic acid in a protein coat.
 

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