[28] Biochemistry of the Immune System

Question 1

What is the immune system?

Answer 1

A network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against harmful invaders.

Question 2

What are the two types of immunity?

Answer 2

1. Innate immunity
2. Adaptive immunity

Question 3

What is innate immunity?

Answer 3

The first line of defense, it includes physical barriers and immune cells that respond quickly to a wide range of pathogens.

Question 4

What is adaptive immunity?

Answer 4

A highly specialized system that recognizes specific pathogens and remembers them for faster response in future encounters.

Question 5

What are the major cells of the immune system?

Answer 5

1. White blood cells (Leukocytes)
2. B cells
3. T cells
4. Natural Killer (NK) cells
5. Macrophages
6. Dendritic cells

Question 6

What are antigens?

Answer 6

Substances that can trigger an immune response, they are typically proteins or polysaccharides on the surface of pathogens.

Question 7

What are antibodies?

Answer 7

Proteins produced by B cells that can bind to specific antigens, marking them for destruction.

Question 8

What is the role of T cells in immunity?

Answer 8

T cells can directly kill infected cells (cytotoxic T cells) or help other immune cells respond to the infection (helper T cells).

Question 9

What are cytokines?

Answer 9

Small proteins released by cells that have a specific effect on the interactions and communications between cells.

Question 10

What is the complement system?

Answer 10

A part of the immune system that enhances the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells.

Question 11

What are MHC molecules?

Answer 11

Proteins on cell surfaces that present antigens to T cells, they play a crucial role in the immune response.

Question 12

What are immunoglobulins?

Answer 12

Another term for antibodies, they are produced by plasma cells in response to an antigen.

Question 13

What is the role of macrophages in immunity?

Answer 13

Macrophages engulf and destroy microbes, present antigens to T cells, and release cytokines.

Question 14

What is an autoimmune disease?

Answer 14

A condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells.

Question 15

What is immunodeficiency?

Answer 15

A state in which the immune system’s ability to fight infectious diseases is compromised or entirely absent.

Question 16

What is the role of natural killer (NK) cells in immunity?

Answer 16

NK cells can recognize and kill virus-infected cells and tumor cells without prior exposure to the antigen.

Question 17

What is hypersensitivity?

Answer 17

An exaggerated or inappropriate immune response that can cause damage to the body, such as in allergies.

Question 18

What are lymphocytes?

Answer 18

A type of white blood cell that is one of the body’s main types of immune cells, including B cells and T cells.

Question 19

What is the function of dendritic cells in the immune system?

Answer 19

Dendritic cells capture, process, and present antigens to T cells, initiating an adaptive immune response.

Question 20

What is an inflammatory response?

Answer 20

A protective response involving immune cells, blood vessels, and molecular mediators aimed at removing harmful stimuli.