AP Biology - Ch 43 Vocab

A type of white blood cell that mediates acquired immunity. Lymphocytes that
Lymphocyte complete their development in the bone marrow are called B cells, and those
that mature in the thymus are called T cells.
A protein secreted by plasma cells (differentiated B cells) that binds to a
particular antigen and marks it for elimination; also called immunoglobulin. All
Antibody antibody molecules have the same Y-shaped structure and in their monomer
form consist of two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains joined
by disulfide bridges.
The most abundant type of white blood cell. Neutrophils are phagocytic and
Neutrophil tend to self-destruct as they destroy foreign invaders, limiting their life span to
a few days.
A phagocytic cell present in many tissues that functions in innate immunity by
Macrophage
destroying microbes and in acquired immunity as an antigen-presenting cell.
A type of white blood cell that migrates into tissues and develops into a
Monocyte
macrophage.
A type of white blood cell with low phagocytic activity that is thought to play a
Eosinophil role in defense against parasitic worms by releasing enzymes toxic to these
invaders.
Natural killer (NK) A type of white blood cell that can kill tumor cells and virus-infected cells; an
cells important component of innate immunity.
The changes that occur within a cell as it undergoes programmed cell death,
Apoptosis which is brought about by signals that trigger the activation of a cascade of
suicide proteins in the cell destined to die.
Any of a group of proteins secreted by a number of cell types, including
Cytokine macrophages and helper T cells, that regulate the function of lymphocytes and
other cells of the immune system.
Antigen A macromolecule that elicits an immune response by lymphocytes.
A small, accessible region of an antigen to which an antigen receptor or
Epitope
antibody binds; also called an antigenic determinant.
The general term for a surface protein, located on B cells and T cells, that
binds to antigens, initiating acquired immune responses. The antigen
Antigen receptor receptors on B cells are called B cell receptors (or membrane
immunoglobulins), and the antigen receptors on T cells are called T cell
receptors.
A family of genes that encode a large set of cell surface proteins called MHC
Major
molecules. Class I and class II MHC molecules function in antigen presentation
histocompatibility
to T cells. Foreign MHC molecules on transplanted tissue can trigger T cell
complex (MHC)
responses that may lead to rejection of the transplant.
A collection of cell surface proteins encoded by a family of genes called the
Class I MHC
major histocompatibility complex. Class I MHC molecules are found on nearly
molecule
all nucleated cells.
A collection of cell surface proteins encoded by a family of genes called the
Class II MHC major histocompatibility complex. Class II MHC molecules are restricted to a
molecule few specialized cell cell types, commonly called antigen-presenting cells
(dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells).
Antigen- A cell that ingests bacteria and viruses and destroys them, generating peptide
 fragments that are bound by class II MHC molecules and subsequently
presenting cell displayed on the cell surface to helper T cells. Macrophages, dendritic cells,
and B cells are the primary antigen-presenting cells.
A small organ in the thoracic cavity of vertebrates where maturation of T cells
Thymus
is completed.
The process by which an antigen selectively binds to and activates only those
lymphocytes bearing receptors specific for the antigen. The selected
Clonal selection lymphocytes proliferate and differentiate into a clone of effector cells and a
clone of memory cells specific for the stimulating antigen. Clonal selection
accounts for the specificity and memory of acquired immune responses.
A type of T cell that, when activated, secretes cytokines that promote the
Helper T cell response of B cells (humoral response) and cytotonic T cells (cell-mediated
response) to antigens.

AP Biology - Ch 44 Vocab
Osmolarity Solute concentration expressed as molarity.
An animal that does not actively adjust its internal osmolarity
Osmoconformer
because it is isotonic with its environment.
An animal whose body fluids have a different osmolarity than the
environment and that must either discharge excess water if it lives
Osmoregulator
in a hypotonic environment or take in water if it inhabits a
hypertonic environment.
Referring to organisms that cannot tolerate substantial changes in
Stenohaline
external osmolarity.
Referring to organisms that can tolerate substantial changes in
Euryhaline
external osmolarity.
In the vertebrate kidney, the extraction of water and small solutes,
Filtration
including metabolic wastes, from the blood by the nephrons.
Fluid extracted by the excretory system from the blood or body
Filtrate cavity. The excretory system produces urine from the filtrate after
extracting valuable solutes from it and concentrating it.
Selective The selective uptake of solutes from a filtrate of blood, coelomic
reabsorption fluid, or hemolymph in the excretory organs of animals.
In the vertebrate kidney, the discharge of wastes from the blood into
Secretion
the filtrate from the nephron tubules.
A unique excretory organ of insects that empties into the digestive
Malpighian tubule tract, removes nitrogenous wastes from the blood, and functions in
osmoregulation.
Ureter A duct leading from the kidney to the urinary bladder.
Nephron The tubular excretory unit of the vertebrate kidney.
A ball of capillaries surrounded by Bowman’s capsule in the nephron
Glomerulus
and serving as the site of filtration in the vertebrate kidney.
A cup-shaped receptacle in the vertebrate kidney that is the initial,
Bowman’s
expanded segment of the nephron where filtrate enters from the
capsule
blood.
Proximal tubule In the vertebrate kidney, the portion of a nephron immediately
downstream from Bowman’s capsule that conveys and helps refine
 filtrate.
The long hairpin turn, with a descending and ascending limb, of the
Loop of Henle renal tubule in the vertebrate kidney; functions in water and salt
reabsorption.
In the vertebrate kidney, the portion of a nephron that helps refine
Distal tubule
filtrate and empties it into a collecting duct.
The location in the kidney where filtrate from renal tubules is
Collecting duct
collected; the filtrate is now called urine.
Afferent arteriole The blood vessel supplying a nephron.
Efferent arteriole The blood vessel draining a nephron.
A hormone produced in the hypothalamus and released from the
Antidiuretic posterior pituitary. It promotes water rentention by the kidneys as
hormone (ADH) part of an elaborate feedback scheme that helps regulate the
osmolarity of the blood.