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inflammatory reactions, neutrophils act by engulfing and destroying microbial invaders, cell debris, and particulate matter.
Nitric oxide.
A multifunctional molecule derived from arginine that has microbicidal and parasiticidal properties.
NK (natural killer) cells.
Specialized T-cells with the continuous task of identifying and eliminating cells recognized as being foreign or nonself. Large, granular NK-lymphocytes can mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxity as well as lysing target cells (tumor cells and modified host cells.
Nonspecific immunity.
Resistance against disease threats produced by diverse physiological mechanisms that do not require the recognition of or response to specific antigens.
Null cells.
Lymphocytes lacking the surface CD markers of the principal lymphocyte subsets.
O
Opsonins.
Constituents of serum that bind to antigens, making invading microorganism more susceptible to the destructive action of phagocytes.
Opsinization.
The process of altering bacterial walls to increase susceptibility to phagocytosis.
Orosomucoid.
An acute-phase reactant plasma glycoprotein, α1-acid glycoprotein.
Oxidative burst.
Sudden uptake and utilization of oxygen by phagocytic cells (neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages) whenever they engulf a bacterium or other foreign particle. See Respiratory burst.
P
Phagocyte.
A blood cell that ingests and destroys foreign particles, bacteria, and cell debris.
Phagocytosis.
The process of engulfing particles, bacteria, and cell debris.
Phytohemagglutinin (PHA).
A plant mitogen that stimulates T-lymphocytes.
Plasma cells.
Antibody-producing cells that have matured from antigen-stimulated B-cells.
Pleiotropy.
Ability to exert multiple effects.
Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (also termed PMN or poly).
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