Glossary
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
A type of lung disease characterised by reduced gas exchange. Sufferers may need to be assisted by mechanical ventilation.
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Antigen
Any substance including pathogens and chemical toxins which stimulate immune response antibody production upon entry into the body.
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Capping
The insertion of a guanine amino acid at the beginning of the mRNA molecule which acts as a translation start signal.
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cDNA
(Copy DNA) A copy of DNA produced from an mRNA template.
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Clathrin
A protein found in pits on the cell surface which assemble into coats and surround the vesicle during endocyctosis.
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Effector Cell
A lymphocyte which is functionally active in the immune response stimulated.
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Endosome
An organelle which is responsible for the sorting and recycling of ligands, receptors and other molecules. If further acidified it develops into a lysosome which degrades molecules within it.
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Epithelial cells
Cells which make up the epithelium, i.e the outer lining of a cavity such as the respiratory tract.
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Epitope
Part of a molecule which is recognised by the body as foreign (exogenous) and therefore stimulates an immune response.
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Exocytosis
Vesicular transport of molecules usually out of the cell which involves fusion with the plasma membrane and expulsion of vesicular contents.
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Genome
The entire set of chromosomes or hereditary material of an organism.
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Glycoprotein
A protein associated with a glycan (oligosaccharide chain)
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Hydrophobic molecule
A molecule which has a low affinity towards aqueous environments and a preference for organic environments such as those composed of lipids.
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Immunoprophylaxis
A process of ensuring future immunity and protection from disease usually by stimulating the immune system with an antigen (active immunity).
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Lymphocytes
A white blood cell produced in the thymus and bone marrow which is involved in innate and adaptive immune responses.
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mRNA
(Messenger RNA), RNA which is constructed by complimentary base pairing from DNA and in eukaryotes carries this information into the cytosol where it is converted (translated) into protein.
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Nuclear Pore Complex
The nuclear membrane that surrounds the nucleus is perforated by many protein pores which collectively are known as the nuclear pore complex.
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Orthomyxoviridae
A family of viruses characterised by RNA and a glycoprotein envelope which bind to mucus.
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Pathogen
A disease inducing organism
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Phenotype
The observable appearance of an organism due to genetics and/or environment. For example a disease phenotype.
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Pneumonia
A type of inflammatory lung disease caused by bacteria and viruses present in the lung.
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Polyadenylation
The addition of three adenine amino acids to the end of an mRNA molecule which acts as a stop signal for protein synthesis.
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Polymerase Enzyme
An enzyme which catalyses the polymerisation of a molecule from its subunits, for example DNA is built from many deoxyribonucleotide units and is catalysed by the DNA polymerase enzyme.
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Rhinitis
Inflammation of the nasal membrane causing congestion and discharge.
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Ribonucleoprotein
A complex of protein and RNA that resides in the nucleus.
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RNA
(Ribonucleic Acid), composed of ribose, amino acids and phosphates and is a molecule which contains genetic information.
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Signal peptides
A peptide or sequence of amino acids which acts as a signal to direct a molecule.
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Virion
A single viral particle
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