3.2.4 immunology Flashcards
what is the first stage of phagocytosis?
the phagocyte is attracted to the pathogen by the toxins and chemoattractants it releases and moves towards it
what is the second stage of phagocytosis?
the phagocyte engulfs the pathogen and forms a vacuole around it
what is the third stage of phagocytosis?
the phagocyte takes the pathogen into its cell and forms a phagosome
what is the fourth stage of phagocytosis?
the lysosome fuses with the phagosome and secretes lysozymes to hydrolyse and destroy it
what is phagocytosis?
the non specific response
what is the final stage of phagocytosis?
the pathogens antigens are presented to the surface of the phagocyte
what are the functions of T cells? (4 points)
produces memory T cells, stimulated phagocytosis, kills infected cells (making holes in their membrane), stimulates B cells to divide
how can B cells act as antigen presenting cells?
B cell with an antibody that is complementary to the antigen, takes up the surface antigens of the invading pathogens, the processed antigen is presented on the surface of the B cell
how do activated T helper cells work?
they attach to the processed antigens on the B cells thereby activating them, the B cells will then divide by mitosis to produce clones and differentiate into memory cells or plasma cells
what are the two types of B cells?
memory cells and plasma cells
how do B cells divide?
by mitosis to produce clones
what are memory b cells?
circulate in the blood and tissue fluid in readiness to respond to a future infection by the same pathogen
what are plasma b cells?
produce antibodies that exactly fit the antigens on the pathogens surface, the antibodies attach to the antigens on the pathogen to destroy them
what is the secondary response?
if the same infection occurs again the memory cells divide and develop into plasma cells that produce antibodies, this secondary infection produces antibodies (in plasma cells) in higher concentrations and more quickly
what is the role of antibodies (3 points)?
coat the pathogen with antibodies to make it easier for the phagocyte to engulf, coat the pathogen with with antibodies to prevent it from entering the body cells, antibodies bind to and neutralise (inactivate) toxins produces by the pathogen
how do B cells and T cells work together?
both b cells and t cells are required to remove a pathogen from the body, the responses interact with each other, t cells activate b cells and antibodies coat pathogens making it easier for phagocytes to engulf them
what is the structure of an antibody?
antigen binding sites, light chain, heavy chain, variable region, constant region, receptor binding site
what is the variable regions?
since the binding sites differ they are called the variable region, the sequence of amino acids give each variable region its specific 3D shape
what is the constant region?
binds to receptors
how is an antigen-antibody complex formed?
each binding site is complementary to a specific antigen
why will the antibody only detect a specific antigen?
the antigen binding site is complementary to the antigen as the variable region has a specific amino acid sequence to form an antigen-antibody complex
what is agglutination?
antibodies clump bacterial cells together so it is easier for phagocytes to locate and engulf as they are less spread out
how to antibodies act as markers?
they act as markers that stimulate phagocytosis, phagocytes can engulf the pathogen easier as they are attached
what are polyclonal antibodies?
pathogens can have many antigens on their surface that can activate many plasma b cells, each of these b cells will clone to produce different antibodies, these are collectively known as polyclonal antibodies
what are monoclonal antibodies?
a single type of antibody that is clones on mass outside of the body, from one type of b cell
what is meant by immunity?
the ability of an organism to resist infection
what are the two forms of immunity?
active and passive immunity
what is passive immunity?
antibodies introduced from an outside source, antibodies are not produces by the individual so they are broken down, no memory cells so short lived
what are examples of passive immunity?
anti-venom, immunity acquired by a foetus from the mother
what is active immunity?
production of antibodies is stimulated by the individual, direct contact with the pathogen/antigen, immunity takes time to develop, long lasting
what are the two types of active immunity?
natural and artificial active immunity
what is natural active immunity?
individual infected with a disease, normal immune response
what is artificial active immunity?
vaccination, induced immune response, few symptoms
what do vaccinations involve?
purring a vaccine into the body that will generate an immune response