BRAINCAKECytokines
Cytokines are small secreted proteins released by a broad range of cells, including phagocytes that have engulfed pathogens and cells that have been activated by pathogens.
Cytokines act as cell-signalling molecules informing other phagocytes and other immune cells that the body is under attack.
Cytokines may act on the cells that secrete them, on nearby cells, or in some instances on distant cells.
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Key terms in this lesson
- transcription
- The synthesis of a complementary mRNA strand from a DNA template, which takes place in the nucleus.
- pathogen
- A microorganism that causes disease.
- gene
- A length of DNA that codes for a specific polypeptide.
More in Communicable Diseases
- Inflammatory Response
- Fevers
- Phagocytosis
- Counting Blood Cells
- Opsonins
- Antibodies
- How Antibodies Work
- Lymphocytes
All 40 lessons in Communicable Diseases · All OCR AS-level Biology topics