11.1 Antibody production Flashcards
How does the body reckognise something that is “self”?
All nucleated cells have specific surface molecules, which can be identified as “self”.
What are antigens? How are they reckognised?
Any substance that is not reckognised as “self” and that can trigger an immune response. Lymphocytes bind to them, determine the shape, and then activate helper T-cells which activate B cells, which become plasma cells, which produce antibodies.
What are zoonotic diseases?
diseases that can be transferred from animals to humans
What is an allergen?
substance that causes an immune response, despite technically not being harmful
How does the body have an allergic reaction to allergens?
The leukocytes bind to the allergen’s antigen and the whole process occurs, ending with specific antibodies. These bind to mast cells, and upon re-exposure to the allergen, the mast cells release histamine, which causes an allergic reaction. Symptoms:
- widening of blood vessel (redness, heat)
- capillary permeability (swelling and pain)
What is herd immunity?
Indivuduals, who are not vaccinated, are protected from the disease as everyone else is vaccinated.
Which was the first disease to be eradicated by vaccines?
Smallpox
What are monochlonal antibodies?
antibodies artificially derived from a single B cell clone
How are monochlonal antibodies produced?
A antigen is injected into an animal and the corresponding plasma cells are ejected. They are fused with tumour cells, which divide endlessly, resulting in hybridoma cells, which produce large amounts of antibodies.
How do pregnancy tests work?
- Free monochlonal antibodies for hCG are bound to colour releasing enzyme, and are immobilised at a specific strip on the test -> test site
- another antibody type is on another strip and attaches to another antigens -> control site
