[07] Basic Principles of Immunology Flashcards
What are the two main types of immunity in the body?
- Innate immunity
- Adaptive immunity
What is “innate immunity”?
The body’s first line of defense against pathogens, non-specific and present from birth.
What are the main components of innate immunity?
- Physical barriers (like skin and mucous membranes)
- Phagocytes
- Natural killer cells
- Complement system
What is “adaptive immunity”?
The immunity that the body develops in response to exposure to a specific pathogen.
What are the two main types of adaptive immunity?
- Humoral immunity
- Cell-mediated immunity
What is “humoral immunity”?
It involves B cells that produce antibodies after exposure to specific antigens.
What is an “antibody”?
A protein produced by B cells that binds to a specific antigen to neutralize it.
What is “cell-mediated immunity”?
It involves T cells that attack infected or malignant cells.
What is a “T cell”?
A type of white blood cell that plays a central role in cell-mediated immunity.
What is an “antigen”?
A substance that induces an immune response, especially the production of antibodies.
How do vaccines work in relation to immunology?
Vaccines introduce a harmless version of a pathogen or its antigens, which triggers the adaptive immune system to produce a specific immune response.
What is the role of “memory cells” in the immune response?
Memory cells “remember” pathogens, allowing the immune system to respond quickly and strongly to subsequent exposures.
What is “immunological tolerance”?
The immune system’s ability to recognize and not attack the body’s own cells.
What happens when immunological tolerance fails?
It can lead to autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells.
What is the role of the “complement system” in innate immunity?
It enhances the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells from the body.
