- a chemical substance that kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria
antibody
- a protein molecule in the blood serum or other body fluids that destroys or neutralizes bacteria, viruses, or other harmful toxins
antigen
- a foreign substance that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies. Antigens can be substances like bacteria, viruses, or even pollen that invade the body. There's a different antigen for every cold you've ever had
B
bacteria
- single-celled organisms. Bacteria are bigger than viruses, but still too small for you to see. There are thousands of types of bacteria, and they live everywhere. Bacteria are much more complex than viruses. Bacteria have the tools to reproduce themselves, by themselves. They are filled with fluid, and may have threadlike structures, like a tail, to move themselves
bone marrow
- soft tissue located in the cavities of the bones where blood cells are formed, including erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets
C
carrier
- an organism that carries a virus either in the form of an infection or while it is in incubation
cell
- a small, enclosed unit containing the DNA, proteins, and chemicals needed for life functions. The fundamental unit of life
contagious
- any infectious disease that can be passed with just casual contact from from one person to another
E
electron microscope
- an instrument that allows us to look at very small items too small to see with an optical microscope. It uses a focused beam of electrons to enlarge the image of an object on a screen or photographic plate
F
fungi
- Living organisms that include mushrooms, yeasts, molds and mildew. Fungi act as decomposers that help to recycle nutrients in ecosystems, and some can be used for medicine or food. They can range from microscopic to very large.
G
genetic instructions
- the directions that tell a living cell how all the molecules in its DNA are organized
genetic material
- any material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin containing all the information necessary to make a new copy of the organism
H
host
- a cell or organism in which a parasite or virus is growing
I
immune system
- different types of cells, tissues and enzymes all cooperating with each other that identify and eliminate threatening foreign elements from our bodies. Each part of the immune system network has it's own specialized task. The immune system can remember its response later if the foreign substance invades the body again
infected
- affected with a disease-causing organism
infectious disease
- condition in which virulent organisms are able to multiply within the body and cause a response from the host's immune system
L
lymph
- a clear fluid that travels through the lymphatic system and carries cells that help fight infections and other diseases
lymph nodes
- rounded masses of lymphatic tissue. Lymph nodes filter lymph, and they store white blood cells. They are located along lymphatic vessels
lymph vessels
- thin tubes that carry lymph and white blood cells through the lymphatic system. They branch, like blood vessels, into all parts of the body
lymphocytes
- a type of white blood cell involved in the body's immune defense system. There are a few different kinds of lymphocytes: the natural killer cells (NK cells), the T cells, and B cells
M
microbe
- also known as a microorganism, is an organism that is microscopic (too small to be visible to the naked eye). We also call them "germs."
microscope
- an instrument for viewing objects that are too small to be seen by the unaided eye. The word "microscopic" means very small, and it comes from the Greek word: micron, which means "small" and scopos, which means "aim."
microscopic
- so small as to be visible only with a microscope
P
protozoa
- a family of one-celled organisms that are the simplest form of animal life. Malaria, Toxoplasmosis, and Giardia are all caused by harmful protozoa.
R
reproduce
- the biological process by which new individual organisms are made
S
spleen
- an organ on the left side of the abdomen, near the stomach. It produces some white blood cells, filters the blood, stores blood cells, and destroys old blood cells
T
thymus
- an organ in the chest behind the breastbone. Lymphocytes grow and multiply in the thymus
V
vaccine
- helps your immune system to fight a certain illness. A vaccine is usually made of the same cells that could make you sick, but they are weak or inactive. Sometimes a vaccine is made of cells that are very close, but not exactly the same, to the cells that would make you sick
virology
- the study of viruses and viral diseases. A virologist is a scientist who studies virology
virus
- a submicroscopic particle that can infect the cells of a biological organism. Virus comes from the Latin word for "poison."
W
white blood cells
- made by bone marrow and help the body fight infection and other diseases. There are different types of white blood cells, each with a different job
