5.13 - The Specific Immune Response

Question 1

What is phagocytosis?

Answer 1

Phagocytosis is the process where white blood cells engulf and consume pathogens. This destroys them, meaning they can no longer make you feel ill.

Question 2

What role do antibodies play in the immune response?

Answer 2

Antibodies bind to specific antigens on pathogens, causing them to clump together, which makes it easier for white blood cells to find and engulf them in phagocytosis.

Question 3

What are memory lymphocytes?

Answer 3

Memory lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that are produced during the immune response. They allow for a faster production of specific antibodies if the same pathogen infects the individual again.

Question 4

What does it mean to be immune?

Answer 4

An individual is said to be immune when they do not feel the symptoms of an illness due to the faster production of specific antibodies upon re-infection.

Question 5

What are antitoxins?

Answer 5

Antitoxins are substances produced by the immune system that neutralise toxins released by pathogens by binding to them.