| antibody |
A
large protein molecule evoked in response to an antigen that interacts specifically with
that antigen. |
| chemotaxis |
The tendency of
organisms to move in response to a chemical gradient (toward an attractant or to avoid
adverse stimuli). |
| complement |
In
immunology, serum protein components that act in a definite sequence when set in motion
either by an antigen-antibody complex or by factors of the alternative (properdin) pathway |
| cytokine |
A chemical substance
produced by white blood cells and tissue cells that regulates development, inflammation,
and immunity |
| hemopoiesis |
The
process by which the various types of blood cells are formed, such as in the bone marrow. |
| immunity |
An acquired resistance
to an infectious agent due to prior contact with that agent |
| interferon |
Naturally
occurring polypeptides produced by fibroblasts and lymphocytes that can block viral
replication and regulate a variety of immune reactions |
| macrophage |
A white blood cell
derived from a monocyte that leaves the circulation and enters tissues. These cells are
important in nonspecific phagocytosis and in regulating, stimulating, and cleaning up
after immune responses. |
| markers |
Any
trait or factor of a cell, virus, or molecule that makes it distinct and recognizable.
Example: a genetic marker. |
| mast cell |
A nonmotile connective
tissue cell implanted along capillaries, especially in the lungs, skin, gastrointestinal
tract, and genitourinary tract. Like a basophil, its granules store mediators of allergy. |
| neutrophil |
A
mature granulocyte present in peripheral circulation, exhibiting a multilobular nucleus
and numerous cytoplasmic granules that retain a neutral stain. The neutrophil is an active
phagocytic cell in bacterial infection. |
| Peyer's patches |
Oblong lymphoid
aggregates of the gut located chiefly in the wall of the terminal and small intestine.
Along with the tonsils and appendix, Peyer’s patches make up the
gut-associated-lymphoid tissue that responds to local invasion by infectious agents. |
| pyrogen |
A
substance that causes a rise in body temperature. It can come from pyrogenic
microorganisms or from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (endogenous pyrogens |
| T cell |
A white blood cell that
is processed in the thymus gland and is involved in cell-mediated immunity. |
