Disease

Science

addiction

a physical or psychological dependence on a substance, like drugs

addiction Simple Definition

alcoholism

an addiction to drinking alcohol excessively

alcoholism Simple Definition

allergy

a disorder where the immune system responds too strongly to a substance

allergy Simple Definition

antibiotic

a chemical that kills bacteria and other microorganisms, or slows their growth

antibiotic Simple Definition

antibody

a protein that destroys specific antigens, it is made by B cells

antibody Simple Definition

antigen

a foreign substance that causes a reaction from the body’s immune system

antigen Simple Definition

drug

a natural or artificial substance that affects the body’s functions

drug Simple Definition

immune system

the cells and tissues of the body that fight invading organisms

immune system Simple Definition

immunity

the body’s resistance to disease

immunity Simple Definition

infectious disease

a disease that is spread by pathogens, from an infected organism or the environment

infectious disease Simple Definition

mental stress

physical or mental discomfort, like panic before a test or a pain from carrying heavy books

mental stress Simple Definition

noninfectious disease

a disease that is not spread from one person to another, like asthma and diabetes

noninfectious disease Simple Definition

pasteurization

the process of heating food to a high temperature to kill bacteria

pasteurization Simple Definition

pathogen

a disease-causing agent, like a bacteria, virus, or parasite

pathogen Simple Definition

T cell

a lymphocyte that identifies pathogens and attacks infected cells, it matures in the thymus

T cell Simple Definition

vaccination

the injection of a mild pathogen into a body to produce immunity

vaccination Simple Definition

vaccine

a substance made of weakened or dead pathogens, it gives the body immunity against disease

vaccine Simple Definition

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