PLTW MD Unit 1 Vocabulary

A harmless variant of a pathogen that stimulates a host's immune system to mount defenses against the pathogen.

A sub-microscopic particle that must infect living plant or animal cells to reproduce

The ability of an organism or cell to maintain equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes in order to function

Single-celled organisms that do not rely on a host

A sudden rise in the incidence of a disease

High blood pressure

The state produced by the establishment of an infective agent in or on a suitable host

Measurements of the body's most basic functions and useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems

Any disease-producing agent such as a virus, bacteria, or parasite

Organisms such as yeasts or molds that reproduce quickly in moist, humid environments

The introduction of a pathogen or antigen into a living organism to stimulate the production of antibodies

An infectious disease that spreads rapidly and sickens a large number of people

To recognize a disease by signs and symptoms

Abnormally low body temperature

Blood Pressure that remains between heart contractions

The force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood and expressed in mm of mercury

Communicable by contact

A measure of cardiac activity usually expressed as the number of beats per minute

The blood pressure generated by the heart during contraction

The application of the principles of the natural sciences, especially biology and physiology, to clinical medicine.

Overheating of the body, possibly due to extreme weather conditions

The rhythmic expansion and recoil of arteries resulting from heart contraction; can be felt from outside the body

Something that indicates the presence of bodily disorder