2.4: Immunolgy Flashcards
What can the immune system identify as non self?
- Pathogens
- Cells from other organisms
- Abnormal body cells
- Toxins
What is the specific response in white blood cells?
Lymphocytes
What is the non-specific response in white blood cells?
Phagocytes
What is a phagocyte?
Type of white blood cell
Describe phagocytosis
1) Phagocytes are attracted to chemicals released by pathogens
2) Phagocytes attach to pathogens by receptors and phagocytes engulf the pathogen
3) Pathogen contained in. a phagosome vesicle
4) Lysosome fuse with phagosome and releases lysozyme
5) Lysozyme enzyme hydrolyses pathogen
Define antigen
A molecule (protein) that stimulates an immune response that results in the production of a specific antibody
What is a macrophage?
A cell that has engulfed and destroyed a pathogen and presents the antigens on the surface
What is an antigen presenting cell?
Any cell that presents a non-self antigen on their surface
What is the cell mediated response?
Involving T cells and body cells
Describe the cell mediated response
1) Phagocyte engulfs and hydrolyses pathogen and presents antigen on cell surface membrane
2) TH cell with specific receptor binds to presented antigen
3) Once attached this activated TH cells to rapidly clone by mitosis
4) Cloned TH cells differentiate into more TH cells, memory cells and cytotoxic T cells
What are cytotoxic T cells?
-destroy infected or abnormal body cells
How do cytotoxic T cells cause cell death?
Release protein called perforin which creates pores in cell surface membrane so any substances can enter and leave the cells
What are cytotoxic T cells most common in viruses?
Viruses affect body cells so these cells are sacrificed to prevent viral replication.
What is the humoral response?
Involves the activation of B cells to produce antibodies.
Role of memory B cells
Remain in body to rapidly and extensively respond to pathogen in case of future re-infection (active immunity)