Final answer:
Inflammation is a fundamental immune response marked by heat, redness, pain, and swelling, initiated by chemical signals like cytokines, which cause capillaries to become permeable and attract immune cells to the site of injury or infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term inflammatory is key to understanding the body's basic innate immune response, which is an essential part of fighting infection and healing. Inflammation is characterized by heat, redness, pain, and swelling, occurring when injured or infected cells release cytokines and histamines. These chemicals cause capillaries to dilate and become leaky, leading to an increased blood flow and the migration of leukocytes and proteins to the site of injury or infection. The concepts of innate immune response, interferons, and lymphatic system are part of the larger topic of inflammation and immune defense mechanisms in the body.
Chronic inflammation is a long-term immune response which can lead to significant tissue damage. It can be caused by foreign bodies, persistent pathogens, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Acute inflammation, on the other hand, is a short-term response typically occurring immediately after injury or infection. Understanding the inflammatory response and the cellular defenses it mobilizes, like neutrophils and macrophages, are crucial for medical studies.