1. Introduction to Immunology Flashcards
What is an antigen?
An antigen is a foreign material which stimulates a specific immune response (IR) when introduced into an individual, and which relates with cells and factors produced during that IR
How do the nonspecific defenses differ from the specific immune responses in terms of their activation and specificity?
Nonspecific defenses (aka Innate immunity) = fast, no delay in activation. Same mechanisms are activated, regardless of Ag involved (nonspecific).
Specific Immune response (aka adaptive immunity) = response delayed until activation after exposure. Immune response is specific for the certain Ag challenge.
Provide some examples of nonspecific defenses and specific immune responses
Nonspecific defenses = physical and chemical barriers (skin and enzymes produced by skin); mechanical barriers; Inflammation
Specific Immune Responses = Humoral immunity (B lymphocytes, plasma cells, antibodies, complement) and Cell-mediated immunity (T lymphocytes and cytokines)
Indicate which type of immunity the following components are involved in: B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, plasma cells, antibody, complement, cytokines.
B lymphocytes = Humoral T lymphocytes = Cell-mediated plasma cells = Humoral antibody = Humoral complement = Humoral cytokines = Cell-mediated
