- May 2019
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germinal center
Germinal centers are areas in the lymph nodes and spleen where B cells reside. Within these centers B cells replicate, mature and prepare to create antibodies.
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epitopes
An antigen on the surface of the virus that antibodies can attach to.
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effector phenotypes
The characteristics that are representative of activated T cells.
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T follicular helper (TFH
This subset of T cells that aid in the production of antibodies by activating B cells.
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antigen
An antigen is a part of a pathogen that stimulates an immune response. This may be a protein, lipid, or a carbohydrate.
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B cells
B cells are immune cells that produce antibodies.
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induced
In molecular genetics when a gene is induced, it means the amount of mRNA transcripts from that gene is increased.
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elucidated
Elucidated is another way of saying explained or investigated.
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cytokines
Cytokines are proteins that are released by immune cells to activate the immune response in other cells.
Example: When a cell is infected with a virus, it can release the cytokine interferon to signal neighboring cells of an incoming viral attack. This allows the neighboring cells to increase production of anti-viral proteins.
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choline acetyltransferase (ChAT),
Choline acetyltransferase is a protein that is responsible for the creation of acetylcholine.
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prototypic
Prototypic means the original model in which further knowledge is based off of.
Since acetylcholine was the first neurotransmitter discovered, its function/ behavior is what all other neurotransmitters are based off of.
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vasodilation
Vasodilation in when blood vessels expand. This is an important response to viral infection because it allows immune cells to reach the site of infection.
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ablated
Ablated in this context means that mice did not have vasodilation in response to viral infection.
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IL-21
IL-21 is a protein released by CD4 T cells that activates cytotoxic T cells and NK cells.
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CD8+
A CD8 positive T cell (referred to as a cytotoxic T cell) is responsible for killing intracellular pathogens, cancer cells and other damaged cells.
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CD4+
A CD4 positive T cell (referred to as a helper T cell) is a subset of T cells responsible for activating and directing different types of immune cells.
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lymphocyte
T cells, B cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells are immune cells that are referred to as lymphocytes.
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T cell
A T cell is a type of immune cell responsible for directing the adaptive immune system's response to infection, allergy and cancer.
- note: think of the T cell as a general of an army.
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neurotransmitter
A neurotransmitter is a molecule released by nerves to communicate with other nerves, muscles fibers, or organ systems.
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