3.2 The immune response Flashcards
What does non specific immunity involve ?
Involves physical barriers and phagocytosis
What is specific immunity ?
Cell mediated and humoral responses
What is a lymphocyte ?
Type of White blood cell
What is a pathogen ?
A disease causing microorganism
What is immune recognition ?
When a lymphocyte with the correct cell surface protein binds to a pathogen
What is phagocytosis ?
A process in which a large white blood cell, called a phagocyte moves towards, engulfs and digests a pathogen using enzymes
What is an antigen ?
Molecule that stimulates an immune response- found on cell surface membrane
Where are B-cells found and what are they involved in ?
Made in bone marrow and also mature in bone marrow, involved in the humoral response
Where are T-cells found and what are they involved in ?
Made in bone marrow but mature in thymus gland, involved in cell mediated response
What is an antigen presenting cell ?
Cells that display foreign antigens on their plasma membrane
What do cytotoxic t- cells release and what effect does this have on cells ?
They release perforin which kills infected cells by making holes in their cell surface membrane. This means the cell is no longer able to regulate the substances that enter and leave the cell as it is ‘freely permeable’
What are plasma cells ?
Cells that secrete antibodies
What is humoral immunity ?
Involves antibodies that are secreted by plasma B cells. Each antibody has a specific antigen it will bind to making an antibody- antigen complex
What is the primary immune response ?
The production of antibodies and memory cells
What are memory cells used for ?
Secondary immune response
