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