Here are a few definitions you may find useful- just in case…
What are nervous cells?
Neurons are nervous cells, or cells found in the nervous system. They are specialized to stimulate other cells in the body in order to communicate. These cells function by using electrical stimulation. Through this electrical ‘message,’ neurons are able to initiate action in the cells they target.
Reference:
Martini, Frederic Et Al. Anatomy and Physiology. Philippines: Pearson Education South Asia PTE. LTD, publishing a Prentice Hall, 2007. Electronic.
What is a latent virus??
A status of an infectious agent or disease- remaining in an inactive or hidden phase; dormant. In the latent state, the virus does not cause disease.
Reference:
“latent.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 02 Dec. 2014. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/latent>.
What is the immune system?
A complex network of cells, cell products, and tissues that work together in order to protect the body from infection. The immune system prevents and limits the entry of various microbes such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites into the human body.
Reference:
“immune system.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 02 Dec. 2014. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/immune system>.
What is a virus?
A virus is a small infectious agent that replicates only inside other organisms. Viruses can infect all types of life forms, from animals to plants and even several bacteria and their derivates.
Reference:
Koonin, Eugene V., Tatiana G. Senkevich, and Valerian V. Dolja. “The ancient Virus World and evolution of cells.” Biol Direct 1.1 (2006): 29.
What is a neurotransmitter?
Neurotransmitters are chemicals in our body which allow the transmission of signals in our brain and nervous system.
Reference:
“Neurotransmitter” at Dorland’s Medical Dictionary”
What Are Hormones?
Hormones are signaling molecules produced by glands in our body that are transported through the blood to target distant organs and regulate physiology and behaviour.
Reference:
Neave N (2008). Hormones and behaviour: a psychological approach. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press.
What Is IgA?
IgA (immunoglobulin A) is the first line of defense in the immune system, acting as a protective coating for the cells against invading bacteria or viruses.
Reference:
1. Brandtzaeg, R. Pabst (2004). “Let’s go mucosal: communication on slippery ground”. Trends Immunology 25 (11): 570–577.
2. AJ Macpherson and E Slack. (2007). “The functional interactions of commensal bacteria with intestinal secretory IgA.”. Current Opinion in Gastroenterology 23 (6): 673–678.
What is EBV?
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), also known as human herpes virus 4, is a member of the herpes virus family. It is one of the most common human viruses, is found all over the world, and is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever). EBV spreads most commonly through bodily fluids, mainly saliva.
Reference:
Maeda E, Akahane M, Kiryu S, et al. (January 2009). “Spectrum of Epstein–Barr virus-related diseases: a pictorial review”. Jpn J Radiol 27 (1): 4–19
What is a Microbicid?
A microbicide is any chemical compound or substance that reduces the infectivity of microbes, such as viruses or bacteria.
Paulus, W (1991). “Microbicides for the protection of materials: yesterday, today and tomorrow”. Biodeterioration and Biodegradation 8.