✅5 - Cell Recognition and the Immune System Flashcards
Each cell has specific molecules on its surface that…
…identify it.
Which molecules can the immune system identify?
- pathogens
- cells from other organisms of the same species
- abnormal body cells
- toxins
What is an antigen?
Any part of an organism or substance that is recognised as non-self by the immune system and which stimulates an immune response.
What are antigens affected by?
- Invading microorganisms
- Cells that have been infected by a virus
- Cancer Cells
- Cells transplanted from another organism
- Allergens such as pollen
Where are antigens found?
On the cell surface membrane as proteins or glycoproteins
What are non-self antigens?
Ones not recognised by the body which cause an immune response.
What is an antibody?
A molecule secreted by lymphocytes in response to stimulation by the appropriate antigen.
What are the characteristics of bacteria?
- Microscopic
- Living cells that can multiply rapidly
- Attack tissues in host and release toxins
- Examples: food poisoning, cholera
What are the characteristics of viruses?
- Ultra microscopic
- Once inside the host, viral DNA replicated itself 1000s of times
- Burst out of host cell into bloodstream, difficult to treat
- Examples: cold, flu, HIV
What do phagocytes do?
Engulf the pathogens
What do lymphocytes do?
Make antibodies which neutralise microbes or make them stick together, destroying them.
What do Neutrophils do?
Neutralise the toxins produced by the microbes.
What are the two types of immunity?
Natural and Artificial
How does natural immunity occur?
- Antibodies passed from mother to child
- Antibodies are made when microbes infect the body
How does Artificial Immunity occur?
- ACTIVE: Vaccine with dead or modified (attenuated) microbes injected causing antibodies to be produced ready for real infection
- PASSIVE: Serum of antibodies are injected directly into a person to fight infection
What is malaria caused by?
Plasmodium
What is phagocytosis?
A process in which pathogens are ingested by a phagocyte (macrophage)
Describe the process of phagocytosis:
- Phagocyte is attracted to the pathogen by chemical products of the pathogen. It moves towards it on a concentration gradient
- The surface receptors on the phagocyte attach to chemicals on the surface of the pathogen
- Invagination occurs and a phagosome forms
- Lysosomes release lysozymes into the phagosome, hydrolyse the bacteria
- The hydrolysis products of the bacterium are absorbed by the phagocyte
Describe the process of lymphocytosis:
- Lymphocyte approaches bacterium
- Antibodies attach to antigens on the bacterium, neutralising them because they can not replicate
What is cell mediated immunity?
Lymphocytes respond to an organisms own cells that have been infected by non self materials from a different species
What is an antigen-antibody complex?
When a complimentary antibody and antigen join
What is an antibody?
A molecule secreted by a B lymphocyte in response to stimulation by the appropriate antigen.
What happens when water rushes to a new wound?
It enters the cells by osmosis and then, because bacteria cells are microscopic they undergo lysis.
Which cells remember antibody production?
Memory B Cells and Helper T Cells
How many polypeptide chains are there in an antibody molecule?
4, joined by disulphides bridges
What are the 4 duplicated regions of an antibody molecule?
Variable and light regions on the heavy chain, and variable and light regions on the light chain.
What does the generic constant region allow and antibody to do?
Attach to phagocytic cells
What does the variable region allow an antibody to do?
It is specific (complimentary) to a particular antigen, which it binds to, depending on the amino acid sequence
What does the hinge region allow the antibody to do?
Flex in order to bind with more than one antigen (accommodation)