natural killer cells know about stress

An example of anthropomorphism (and metaphor) in popular science writing:

"Any NK cell that finds itself shaking hands with a ULBP receptor knows it has found a stressed-out cell. The same is true if the NK cell extends its receptors to the cell only to find it omits parts of the secret-handshake expected from a normal cell."

Catherine Carver.

Carver, C. (2017). Immune. How your body defends and protects you. Bloomsbury Sigma. (Read 'Disease and immunity – a biological myth'.)

Read about anthropomorphism

Read examples of anthropomorphism in science

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.