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Disease
Chapter 14 Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| disease | any abnormal condition that causes illness in a living organism |
| pathogen | an organism or particle that causes disease |
| infectious disease | a contagious disease caused by pathogens |
| noninfectious disease | a disease that is not caused by pathogens and is not contagious |
| acute | beginning suddenly and lasting for a short time |
| chronic | lasting for a long time and/or recurring frequently |
| virus | a tiny, nonliving particle that can infect cells and cause disease |
| genetic disorder | an abnormal condition that is usually inherited through genes |
| allergy | an abnormal reaction to a foreign substance |
| allergen | a substance that provokes allergies |
| lymph nodes | a rounded mass of tissue that filters fluids from other body tissues and traps pathogens |
| immune response | the series of reactions that take place when white blood cells fight against infection |
| immunity | the body's ability to protect itself from pathogens before they cause disease |