Cell

Definition

A cell is the basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all living organisms. In microbiology, understanding cell behavior is crucial for studying diseases of the immune system, including cancer.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cancer cells evade the immune system through various mechanisms such as downregulating antigen presentation.
2. Immune cells like T-cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells are vital in identifying and destroying cancerous cells.
3. Checkpoint inhibitors are a class of immunotherapy drugs that block proteins used by cancer cells to suppress the immune response.
4. Cancer immunotherapy aims to enhance the body's natural immune response against tumor cells.
5. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) can either promote or inhibit cancer progression depending on their polarization.

Review Questions

• How do cancer cells evade detection by the immune system?
• What role do T-cells play in combating cancer?
• What is the function of checkpoint inhibitors in cancer treatment?

Related terms

Antigen Presentation:

The process by which protein fragments are displayed on the cell surface for recognition by T-cells.

Natural Killer (NK) Cells: A type of lymphocyte that plays a role in the destruction of virus-infected and tumor cells.

Checkpoint Inhibitors:

Drugs that help to activate an immune response against cancer cells by blocking inhibitory pathways.