Is 'resistance transfer factor' still a commonly used term in immunology?

No, it is largely historical. Modern immunology uses more specific terms for cytokines, chemokines, and other signaling molecules involved in immune cell communication.

Can 'resistance transfer factor' refer to antibiotic resistance in bacteria?

Yes, but this is a distinct concept. In bacteriology, 'R factor' or 'resistance transfer factor' can refer to plasmids that carry genes for antibiotic resistance, which is unrelated to the mammalian immune system term.

What part of speech is 'resistance transfer factor'?

It functions exclusively as a compound noun.

Is the term hyphenated?

Typically not hyphenated in modern scientific writing; it appears as an open compound noun: 'resistance transfer factor'.

Is “resistance transfer factor” formal?

Resistance transfer factor is usually specialist/scientific in register.

How do you pronounce “resistance transfer factor”?

Resistance transfer factor: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈzɪstəns ˈtrænsfɜː ˈfæktə/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈzɪstəns ˈtrænsfɚ ˈfæktɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

resistance transfer factor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C2/Advanced Technical

UK/rɪˈzɪstəns ˈtrænsfɜː ˈfæktə/US/rɪˈzɪstəns ˈtrænsfɚ ˈfæktɚ/

Specialist/Scientific

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “resistance transfer factor” mean?

a protein in immune systems that transfers cellular immunity from sensitized donors to non-immune recipients.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

a protein in immune systems that transfers cellular immunity from sensitized donors to non-immune recipients

a term used in immunology to describe specific molecules or cell-mediated components capable of transmitting immune responses; historically refers to substances involved in delayed-type hypersensitivity transfer.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or usage; identical in technical literature.

Connotations

Both variants carry identical scientific precision with no regional connotative differences.

Frequency

Extremely low frequency in general language; appears almost exclusively in immunological research papers, textbooks, or historical reviews.

Grammar

How to Use “resistance transfer factor” in a Sentence

The resistance transfer factor (RTF) mediates...Transfer of resistance via the resistance transfer factorFactor responsible for resistance transfer

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

cellular resistance transfer factortransfer factor of resistancespecific resistance transfer factor

medium

purified resistance transfer factormediate resistance transferisolate the transfer factor

weak

immune resistance transferexperimental resistance transfer

Examples

Examples of “resistance transfer factor” in a Sentence

noun

British English

The early experiments demonstrated that the resistance transfer factor was contained within leukocyte lysates.
Researchers sought to characterise the biochemical nature of the resistance transfer factor.

American English

The study focused on isolating the resistance transfer factor from sensitized donors.
Evidence suggested the resistance transfer factor was a low-molecular-weight polypeptide.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not used.

Academic

Used in specialized immunological literature, particularly in historical or review contexts describing cell-mediated immunity mechanisms.

Everyday

Never used.

Technical

Primary context: describes components in immune cell lysates that can transfer antigen-specific resistance or delayed hypersensitivity between organisms.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “resistance transfer factor”

Strong

TF (in specific historical context)Lawrence factor (historical synonym)

Neutral

immunity transfer substancecellular transfer component

Weak

immune messengerresistance mediator

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “resistance transfer factor”

immunosuppressive factorsusceptibility factor

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “resistance transfer factor”

Using 'resistance transfer factor' interchangeably with modern cytokines like interleukins; it is a broader, historical functional term.
Confusing it with antibiotic resistance plasmids in bacteriology, which also use 'R factor' or 'resistance transfer factor'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, it is largely historical. Modern immunology uses more specific terms for cytokines, chemokines, and other signaling molecules involved in immune cell communication.
: Yes, but this is a distinct concept. In bacteriology, 'R factor' or 'resistance transfer factor' can refer to plasmids that carry genes for antibiotic resistance, which is unrelated to the mammalian immune system term.
: It functions exclusively as a compound noun.
: Typically not hyphenated in modern scientific writing; it appears as an open compound noun: 'resistance transfer factor'.
: a protein in immune systems that transfers cellular immunity from sensitized donors to non-immune recipients.
: Resistance transfer factor is usually specialist/scientific in register.
: Resistance transfer factor: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈzɪstəns ˈtrænsfɜː ˈfæktə/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈzɪstəns ˈtrænsfɚ ˈfæktɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“None applicable; term is purely technical.”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a 'resistance fighter' (immune cell) sending a 'transfer file' (factor) to another cell to share defensive plans.

Conceptual Metaphor

IMMUNITY IS A MESSAGE / RESISTANCE IS A TRANSFERABLE COMMODITY

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

Early work in cellular immunity showed that a could be extracted from immune cells and confer specific resistance to naive recipients.

Multiple Choice

In which field is the term 'resistance transfer factor' primarily used?