| A | B |
|---|
| Immune System | System that protects the body against infection and disease |
| Immunity | State of being resistant to a disease-causing agent |
| Pathogen | Disease-causing microorganism |
| Microorganism | Microscopic living thing such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi |
| Antigen | Foreign substance that triggers an immune response; often proteins found on surface of a cell |
| Self | Body's own normal cells and substances |
| Non-self | Foreign substances recognized by the immune system |
| Immune Memory | Ability of the immune system to respond faster after re-exposure |
| Leukocyte | White blood cell involved in immunity and defense |
| Phagocyte | Cell that engulfs and destroys pathogens; neutrophils, macrophages, eosionophils |
| Neutrophil | Phagocytic white blood cell that responds quickly to infection |
| Macrophage | Phagocytic cell that engulfs invaders and debris |
| Lymphocyte | White blood cell type most involved in adaptive immunity |
| B Lymphocyte | Lymphocyte that matures in bone marrow and can form plasma cells; B cell |
| Bone Marrow | Tissue where B lymphocytes mature |
| Plasma Cell | Cell derived from B lymphocytes that produces antibodies |
| Antibody | Protein that can find and target a specific antigen to neutralize it and signal other cells to respond |
| Immunoglobulin | Another name for an antibody |
| Memory B Cell | Long-lived immune cell that remembers specific antigens to produce a stronger, faster immune response upon future exposure |
| T Lymphocyte | Lymphocyte that matures in the thymus and helps defence against infected or cancerous cells; T cell |
| Complement Proteins | Proteins that help antibodies and T cells destroy pathogens by disrupting membranes |
| Innate Immunity | Non-specific immunity present from birth - such as intact skin barrier, coughing, sneezing, mucus production |
| Adaptive or Acquired Immunity | Specific acquired immunity developed after antigen exposure; targets specific antigens |
| Physical Barrier | Protective structure such as skin or mucous membrane |
| Inflammation | Protective response to infection or injury; helps to isolate the infection so the immune system can respond |
| Active Immunity | Immunity produced when the body makes its own antibodies |
| Passive Immunity | Immunity gained from antibodies received from another source; immediate but temporary protection |
| Natural Active Immunity | Immunity gained during recovery after natural exposure to an infectious disease |
| Natural Passive Immunity | Temporary immunity from maternal antibodies passed through the placenta and breast milk |
| Artificial Active Immunity | Immunity produced after vaccination |
| Artificial Passive Immunity | Temporary immunity from injected antibodies |
| Vaccination | Controlled exposure to an antigen to stimulate adaptive immunity |
| Clinical Immunologist | Physician specializing in immune system disorders and allergies |
