Immunology Vocabulary

1. bacteria: A member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms that have cell walls but lack organelles and an organized nucleus, including some that can cause disease. 2. tuberculosis: An infectious bacterial disease characterized by the growth of nodules (tubercles) in the tissues, esp. the lungs. 3. immunology: The branch of medicine and biology concerned with immunity. 4. immunization: The act of making immune 5. macrophage: A large phagocytic cell found in stationary form in the tissues or as a mobile white blood cell, esp. at sites of infection. 6. phagocytosis: The ingestion of bacteria or other material by phagocytes and aneboid protozoans. 7. lymphocytes: A form of small leukocyte (white blood cell) with a single round nucleus, occurring esp. in the lymphatic system. 8. T cells: A lymphocyte of a type produced or processed by the thymus gland and actively participating in the immune response. 9. B cells: A lymphocyte not processed by the thymus gland, and responsible for producing antibodies. 10. antibiotic: A medicine that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms. 11. pathogens: A bacterium virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease. 12. antibodies: A blood protein produced in response to and countering a specific antigen. They combine chemically with substances that the body recognizes as alien, such as bacteria, viruses, and foreign substances in the blood. 13. polio: is a viral disease that can affect nerves and can lead to partial or full paralysis. 14. virus: A piece of code that is capable of copying itself and typically has a detrimental effect, such as corrupting the system or destroying data. 15. antigen: A toxin or other foreign substance that induces an immune response in the body, esp. the production of antibodies. 16. pandemic: An outbreak of a pandemic disease. 17. influenza: A highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages causing fever, severe aching, and catarrh, and often occurring in epidemics. 18. prions: A small petrel of southern seas, having a wide bill fringed with comblike plates for feeding on planktonic crustaceans.