Immunology

Leukocyte - General term for white blood cells

Lymphatic System - System of channels and tissues involved in draining and filtering the extracellular fluid prior to returning it to the blood via the thoracic duct.

Lymphocyte - A white blood cell that is in charge of starting antigen specific immunity responses

Autoimmunity - A condition characterized by a specific antibody or cells which react with molecules or constituents of the body’s own tissue and cause disease

Antigen - The chemical that is introduced into a person that starts and completes an immune response

Immunoglobulins - All antibody molecules belong to a family of plasma proteins called immunoglobulins. Membrane-bound immunoglobulin serves as the specific antigen receptor on B lymphocytes

Antibody - An antibody is a protein that binds specifically to a particular substance—its antigen. Antibodies are produced by plasma cells in response to infection or immunization, and bind to and neutralize pathogens or prepare them for uptake and destruction by phagocytes

Plasma - Cell-free blood fluid that contains clotting agents

Electrophoresis - The movement of molecules in a charged field. In immunology, many forms of electrophoresis are used to separate molecules, especially protein molecules, to determine their charge, size, and subunit composition

Allergen - Antigens that bring about hypersensitivity or allergic reactions

Anaphylaxis - An immediate response to antigenic challenge with the release of histamines and other agents causing capillary leak, wheeze, cyanosis, oedema of the larynx, tongue, lips and eyelids and urticaria. Anaphylaxis can result in sharp drops in blood pressure, difficulty in breathing, and death if left untreated

Classical Immunology - Tied to epidemiology and medicine. Studies relationships between body systems, pathogens, and immunity

Clinical Immunology - Study of diseases caused by disorders of the immune system
Split into two categories: Immunodeficiency and Autoimmunity

Diagnostic Immunology - A collective term for a variety of diagnostic techniques that rely on the specificity of the bond between antibodies and antigens. Diagnostic immunology is well-suited for the detection of even the smallest of amounts of (bio)chemical substances.

Theoretical Immunology - Theories about the functioning of the immune system

Developmental Immunology - The field of developmental immunology is devoted to exploring and gaining an understanding of the multitude of factors that are responsible for the development of the human immune system.

Cancer Immunology - Study of the relationship between the immune system and cancer cells

Reproductive Immunology - Study of immunological aspects of reproduction

Lymph - The extracellular fluid that accumulates in tissues and is carried by lymphatic vessels back through the lymphatic system to the thoracic duct and into the blood

Cytokines - Proteins that are produced by cells that can affect the behavior of that cell or, more commonly, another cell. Also called chemokines, interleukins and lymphokines.

Inflammation - General term for the local accumulation of fluid, plasma proteins, and white blood cells that is initiated by physical injury, infection, or a local immune response

Plasma Cell - Antibody secreting cell that derives from B cells

Anergy - A state of unresponsiveness to antigens

Allotype - A set of antigens that differ among members of one species

Phagocytosis - Internalization of materials by cells

Opsonin - Substance that promotes phagocytosis

Macrophage - Phagocytic cell that plays a role in innate and adaptive immunity

Paracrine - A type of cell signaling in which messages reach the target cell by diffusion from nearby cells

Monoclonal Antibodies - Lab-made proteins that mimic the immune effects of antibodies

Communicable - Able to be transmitted from one individual to another

Immunosuppressive - Partially or completely reducing an individual's immune activity

Fomite - Object or material likely to carry infection

Cytokine Storm Syndrome - A disease that can develop when the immune system responds too strongly to an infection

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis - A disease that causes build up of white blood cells which can damage organs

Immunomodulatory - Modifies the immune system

Dehydrogenase - An enzyme that aids in the removal of moisture from a molecule

Etiology - The cause or set of causes of a disease

Procalcitonin - A biologic marker that can provide information on the etiology of a disease

Pathogen - An organism that causes disease

Symptom - A physical or mental change that occurs when homeostasis is disrupted

Dyspnea - Difficulty breathing

Athralgia - Joint pain

IgE (Immunoglobulin E) - A type of antibody that is responsible for allergic reactions

Granulocyte - Most common type of white blood cell with granules that secrete enzymes to fight infection

Monocyte - Largest type of white blood cell, part of the innate immune system, primarily responsible for fighting infection and inflammation. Can transform into dendritic or macrophage cells in order to prevent infection

Basophil - White blood cell that fights allergens, pathogens, and parasites

Dendritic - Has branches resembling a tree

Macrophage - Phagocytic cell that secretes antimicrobial and inflammatory mediators in order to fight infection

Phagocytic - Cells that ingest foreign particles in order to eliminate them