HETEROLOGOUS STIMULUS Meaning and
Definition
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The term "heterologous stimulus" refers to a stimulus that is distinct or different from another stimulus. In various scientific fields, particularly in immunology and biology, heterologous stimulus is used to describe the introduction of an external substance or agent into an organism, which triggers a response that is unrelated to the original stimulus.
In the context of immunology, a heterologous stimulus is often used to induce a non-specific immune response. This means that the stimulus does not directly target a specific pathogen or antigen, but rather activates a general immune response mechanism in the body.
This concept is frequently employed in vaccine development. When a heterologous stimulus is used, the vaccine contains an agent that is not the actual pathogen causing the disease, but a related or structurally similar one. By introducing this unrelated stimulus, the immune system is activated and produces a response that can provide protection against other pathogens as well. This cross-protection effect is especially valuable when designing vaccines against rapidly mutating viruses, such as influenza.
The term "heterologous stimulus" can also be used in various other scientific disciplines, such as neurobiology or psychology, to describe a stimulus that is unrelated or different from the one being studied or researched. It implies the introduction of a distinct stimulus to study a reaction, response, or effect that may be influenced by factors external to the primary stimulus.
In summary, a heterologous stimulus refers to a stimulus that is dissimilar or unrelated to another stimulus, particularly in the context of immunology and vaccine development.
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A s. which acts upon any part of the sensory apparatus or nerve-tract.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HETEROLOGOUS STIMULUS
- geterologous stimulus
- beterologous stimulus
- neterologous stimulus
- jeterologous stimulus
- ueterologous stimulus
- yeterologous stimulus
- hwterologous stimulus
- hsterologous stimulus
- hdterologous stimulus
- hrterologous stimulus
- h4terologous stimulus
- h3terologous stimulus
- hererologous stimulus
- heferologous stimulus
- hegerologous stimulus
- heyerologous stimulus
- he6erologous stimulus
- he5erologous stimulus
- hetwrologous stimulus
- hetsrologous stimulus
Etymology of HETEROLOGOUS STIMULUS
The word "heterologous" is formed by combining two Greek roots: "hetero-" meaning "different" or "other", and "-logous" which comes from the Greek word "logos" meaning "word" or "reason". Therefore, "heterologous" can be understood as "different in reason" or "of a different nature".
The term "stimulus" comes from the Latin word "stimulus", which means "goad" or "pointed stick". Over time, it has evolved to refer to any external agent or factor that provokes a response or reaction.
Therefore, when combined, "heterologous stimulus" refers to an external agent or factor that is different in nature or reason, capable of eliciting a response.
