5 - Cell recognition and the immune system Flashcards
What are the two kinds of specific immune responses?
Cell mediated response (T lymphocytes)
Humoral response (B lymphocytes)
Describe the process of phagocytosis (5)
Phagocyte attracted to pathogen by pathogen’s chemical products
Phagocyte attaches by receptors to pathogen
Phagosome forms around pathogen
Lysosomes release hydrolytic lysozymes into phagosome, which hydrolyse pathogen
Hydrolysis products are absorbed by phagocyte, the antigens are displayed on its surface
What is an antigen?
A molecule, usually a protein, that triggers an immune response by lymphocytes (production of antibodies)
Where do T lymphocytes mature?
Thymus gland
What do T cells respond to?
Specific antigens presented on body cells included phagocytic cells, infected viral cells and cancer cells.
Describe the cellular response. (4)
Pathogens invade body cells, or taken in by phagocytes.
Phagocyte places pathogen antigens on cell surface membrane.
Receptors on a T(H) cell fit onto these antigens.
T cell divides rapidly mitosis to form a clone of genetically identical cells.
Give 4 examples of molecules the immune system can identify.
This is from the exam specification.
- Pathogens
- Cells from other organisms of the same species
- Abnormal body cells
- Toxins
Why are pathogens such as the flu and cold difficult for immune systems to defend against?
Their antigens can change.
Give two types of lymphocytes.
B, T
Give two kinds of T lymphocytes.
Helper
Cytotoxic
Give two kinds of T lymphocytes.
Helper
Cytotoxic
How are helper and cytotoxic T cells formed?
T lymphocyte binds to specific antigen on antigen-presenting-cell.
These T cells undergo rapid mitosis to produce helper and cytotoxic cells.
Give 4 function of Helper T cells. (4)
- Stimulate maturation of B-lymphocytes
- Stimulate increased phagocytosis
- Activate Cytotoxic T cells
- Stimulate production of Memory B cells
How many different antibodies can each type of B cell produce?
1
Where do B cells mature?
Bone marrow
Where are antibodies found in mature B cells?
Cell-surface membrane
When does a B cell undergo clonal selection?
When it binds to a specific antigen and first undergoes mitosis.
What is clonal expansion?
When a B cell has binded to an antigen and undergoes repeated mitosis
What do B cells divide to form?
- Memory cells
- Plasma cells
What is the function of plasma cells?
High production of antibodies specific to antigen