6 Immunity Flashcards
Role of the skin as a barrier.
Physical
-waxy and waterproof due to keratin
Role of stomach acid as a barrier.
Chemical
- low pH which kills bacteria
- Hydrochloric acid
Role of gut flora.
Helps exclude bad bacteria
Role of skin flora.
Takes up space outcompete pathogen
What are the three features of an inflammatory response?
Swelling, pus, redness
Describe the process of an inflammatory response.
- foreign antigen recognised
- mast cells release histamine
- histamine increases blood flow
- capillaries dilate no become leaky
- platelets promote clotting and stop pathogens spreading
- dead/used wbc make pus
Describe the process of phagocytosis (REPLEE)
Recognise- foreign pathogen recognised from its antigen
Engulf- pathogen engulfed by endocytosis
Phagosome- invagination of plasma membrane= phagosome formed
Lysosome- phagosome+ lysosome fuse = phagolysosome
Enzymes- hydrolytic enzymes (lysoSYME and protease) digest pathogen
Exocytosis- remove harmless product
Describe interferon action. (virus only)
- virus invades cell= cell releases interferons (proteins)
- interferons diffuse from cell
- binds to nearby receptors on outsides of cells
- stimulates a pathway to inhibit protein synthesis and stop viral replication
also promotes inflamation
What is the goal of interferon action in short.
prevent viral replication by signalling (inteferons presented on outside of cells)
what is a lysosome?
membrane-bound sac containing hydrolytic enzymes
name two hydrolytic enzymes:
lysosYme and protease
what are antigens?
molecules on the surface of cells that can bind to specific antibodies
what are antibodies?
Y shaped proteins that recognise and bind antigens
what type of proteins are antibodies?produced by?
glycolic-proteins made by WBCs
describe the structure of an antibody.
- 4 polypeptide chains, 2 light on outside and heavy on the inside
- variable portion on tips rest is constant