Cascade effect
Cascade effect (pronunciation: /kæsˈkeɪd ɪˈfɛkt/) is a term used in various fields of study, including medicine, ecology, and systems theory. It refers to a series of events triggered by an initial incident, where the effects of the incident grow progressively larger.
Etymology
The term "cascade" originates from the Italian "cascata", which means "waterfall". This is a metaphorical representation of how one event can trigger a series of subsequent events, similar to how water cascades down a waterfall.
In Medicine
In medicine, the cascade effect refers to a series of events that occur in the body after an initial event or trigger. This can be a physiological response, such as the immune response to an infection, or a pathological response, such as the progression of a disease.
For example, in the immune system, the cascade effect can refer to the series of events that occur after the body detects a foreign substance. This can include the activation of white blood cells, the production of antibodies, and the release of cytokines to coordinate the immune response.
In the context of disease progression, the cascade effect can refer to how one event, such as a mutation in a single gene, can lead to a series of events that result in the development of a disease. This is seen in diseases such as cancer, where a single mutation can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and the formation of a tumor.
Related Terms
See Also
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.