Antimicrobial response
- Pronunciation
- /an-tee-mi-kro-bye-al re-sponse/
- Category
- Physiology
Definition
A physiological reaction initiated by an organism to combat invading microorganisms.
Etymology
From the Latin 'anti-', meaning 'against', and 'microbial', relating to microscopic organisms.
Example
The antimicrobial response in insects involves the production of antimicrobial peptides and proteins that kill or inhibit the growth of pathogens.
Related Terms
- Immune response
- Innate immunity
- Phagocytosis
- Antimicrobial peptides
- Pathogens
Usage Notes
The antimicrobial response can be triggered by various stimuli, including infection, wounding, or exposure to microbial components.