Question | Answer |
Normal serum proteins that increase rapidly as a result of infection, injury, or trauma to the tissues | Acute phase reactant |
| autoantibody |
| alloantibody |
macromolecules that are capable of eliciting formation of immunoglobulins (antibodies) or sensitized cells in an immunocompetent host | antigen |
the strength with which a multivalent antibody binds a multivalent antigen | avidity |
a protein or other substance that acts as a chemical messenger to produces chemotaxis | chemotaxin |
antigenic features of leukocytes that are identified by groups of monocolonical antibody expressing common or overlapping activity | clusters of differentiation (CD) |
chemical messenger produced by stimulated cells cells that affects the function or activity of other cells | cytokine |
the key portion of the immunogen against which the immune response is directed; also known as the determinant site | epitope |
a simple chemical group that can bind to antibody once it is formed but that cannot stimulate antibody formation unless tied to a larger carrier molecules | hapten |
a vasoactive amine released from mast cells and basophils during an allergic reaction | histamine |
a heighten state of immune responsiveness | hypersensitivity |
the condition of being resistant to infection | Immunity |
any substance that is capable of inducing an immune response | Immunogen |
the study of the reactions of a host when foreign substances are introduced into the body | immunology |
cellular and humor mechanisms involved in the overall reaction of the body to injury or invasion by an infectious agent | inflammation |
Cytokines produced by T cells and other cell lines that inhibit viral synthesis or act as immune regulators | interferons |
cytokines or chemical messengers produced by leukocytes that affect the inflammatory process through an increase in soluble factors or cells | interleukins |
a molecule that binds to a specific receptor | ligand |
| lymphokines |
| lyoszyme |
the genes that control expression of a large group of proteins originally identified on leukocytes but now known to be found on all nucleated cells in the body. These proteins regulate the immune response and play a role in graft rejection | Major Histocompatibility complex (MHC) |
Serum proteins that attach to foreign substance and enhance phagocytosis | Opsonins |
the engulfment of cells or particulate matter by leukocytes, macrophages, or other cells | phagocytotis |
a transformed B cell that actively secretes antibody | plasma cell |
lack of visible reaction in an antigen antibody reaction caused by an excess of antigen | postzone |
lack of visible reaction in antigen-antibody combination caused by the presence of excess antibody. This may result in false negative reaction | prozone |
a type III hypersensitivity reaction that results from the buildup of antibodies to animal serum used in passive immunization | serum sickness |
the change of a serological test from negative to positive as a result of developing the measurable antibodies in response to infection or immunization | seroconversion |