Glossary

BioScience.com.pk try the best to avoid the use of medical terms that could make it more difficult to understand the information on this website. Still, there are a number of terms that can't be avoided and that are useful to know because they are so often used by the doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals with whom you might speak. The list below includes the terms used on BioScience.com.pk for which we have provided definitions.

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Term Definition
Idiopathic

 A disease or condition that does not have an identifiable cause

Ig

Also known as: Ig; Antibody; Immune serum globulin; Immune globulin; Gamma globulin

1) Special proteins produced by the body in response to foreign substances including bacteria and viruses; there are five structurally distinct classes of immunoglobulins produced by plasma cells in the bone marrow and other lymphoid tissue that bind to and neutralize foreign substances (antigens). The five major kinds of immunoglobulins are A, D, E, G and M.

2) A solution made from human blood plasma that contains concentrated antibodies that protect against specific diseases, such as short-term protection against certain infections and Rh sensitization during pregnancy; it is made from human blood plasma that has been pooled, processed from donated blood, and purified.

Immune serum globulin

Also known as: Ig; Antibody; Immune serum globulin; Immune globulin; Gamma globulin

1) Special proteins produced by the body in response to foreign substances including bacteria and viruses; there are five structurally distinct classes of immunoglobulins produced by plasma cells in the bone marrow and other lymphoid tissue that bind to and neutralize foreign substances (antigens). The five major kinds of immunoglobulins are A, D, E, G and M.

2) A solution made from human blood plasma that contains concentrated antibodies that protect against specific diseases, such as short-term protection against certain infections and Rh sensitization during pregnancy; it is made from human blood plasma that has been pooled, processed from donated blood, and purified.

Immune System

The body's means of protection against microorganisms and other foreign substances; it is composed of two major parts: the humoral response (B lymphocytes and production of antibodies) and the cell-mediated response (T lymphocytes that attack foreign substances directly).

immune-suppressed

Also known as: Immune-compromised; immunosuppressed; immune-suppressed

Reduced ability of one's immune system to mount a normal response to infection

Immunity

1) Resistance to infection because of previous exposure to an infectious agent, naturally or by vaccination
2) State of activation of the immune system to recognize a foreign substance

Immunocompromised

Also known as: Immune-compromised; immunosuppressed; immune-suppressed

Reduced ability of one's immune system to mount a normal response to infection

Immunoglobulin A

Also known as: IgA


One of the five classes of immunoglobulins; one of the most common immunoglobulins, it is mainly present in body secretions and is the chief antibody in the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract and in saliva and tears.

Immunoglobulin A

Also known as: IgA


One of the five classes of immunoglobulins; one of the most common immunoglobulins, it is mainly present in body secretions and is the chief antibody in the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract and in saliva and tears.

Immunoglobulin D

Also known as: IgD


One of the five classes of immunoglobulins; it is present in small amounts in serum and is thought to function in certain allergic responses

Immunoglobulin D

Also known as: IgD


One of the five classes of immunoglobulins; it is present in small amounts in serum and is thought to function in certain allergic responses

Immunoglobulin E

Also known as: IgE


One of the five classes of immunoglobulins; it is present primarily in the skin and mucous membranes and is believed to function in response to environmental antigens and to play a role in allergic reactions.

Immunoglobulin E

Also known as: IgE


One of the five classes of immunoglobulins; it is present primarily in the skin and mucous membranes and is believed to function in response to environmental antigens and to play a role in allergic reactions.

Immunoglobulin G

Also known as: IgG


One of the five classes of immunoglobulins; widespread in the body, it provides long-lasting defense against most bacterial invasions and other antigens.

Immunoglobulin G

Also known as: IgG


One of the five classes of immunoglobulins; widespread in the body, it provides long-lasting defense against most bacterial invasions and other antigens.