Autoimmune Disease - An umbrella term for a range of conditions in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in the body.⏎
Chromosome - An organized structure of DNA and proteins within the nucleus of a cell that contains many genes.⏎
Adaptive Mutation - A mechanism through which certain cells can increase the rate in which genetic mutations occur, often in response to stress. This mechanism may help explain how bacteria develop resistance to certain antibiotics.⏎
Cell Membrane - A semipermeable barrier that separates the interior of a cell from the external environment.⏎
Chronic Disease - Any disease that is long lasting (3 months or more) or recurrent—as opposed to an acute disease—and cannot be prevented by a vaccine or cured by medication.⏎