Anaphylaxis Flashcards
What is anaphylaxis? (2)
An unusual or exaggerated allergic reaction
It is a life-threatening emergency
What is an antigen?
It is a substance that induces the formation of antibodies
What are the four ways an antigen can enter the body?
Injection
Ingestion
Inhalation
Absorption
What is an antibody?
It is a protective protein substance developed by the body in response to antigens that bind to the antigen that produced them, neutralize them and removal from the body
In immune response, what is the complex cascade of events?
It is activated by the invading pathogen
What is the goal of immune response?
Destruction or inactivation of the pathogen
What is an allergic reaction?
An exaggerated response by the immune system to a foreign substance
What are the mechanisms of immune response? (2)
Cellular immunity
Humoral immunity
What is humoral immunity? (3)
It is more complicated
It is a chemical response
Principle chemical agents are antibodies (IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, IgM)
What is natural immunity?
It is genetically predetermined
What is acquired immunity?
It is an immunity that develops over time
What is induced active immunity (artifical)?
Achieved through vaccination that generates an immune response
What is active immunity?
Acquired through exposure to an antigen
What is passive immunity (artifical)?
Acquired immunity from the administration of antibodies
What is the humoral immune response? (4)
Exposure of body to antigen
Antibodies are released
Primary response is generalized (IgG, IgM) and it develops memory
Secondary response is a second exposure and has a specific antibody response
What are the components of the immune system? (5)
Lymphatic system Leukocytes Lymphocytes Immunoglobulins Mediators
What are the components of the lymphatic system? (3)
Every tissue supplied by blood vessels (excluding the brain and placenta) also contains lymphatic vessels
Lymph fluid
Lymph nodes
What are the lymphatic vessels?
The lymphatic system ‘cleans house’ and carries foreign material to the correct ‘disposal site’
What is the lymph fluid?
Picks up organisms, cellular debris, or other foreign matter in tissue and carries it back through the lymphatic vessels, including lymph nodes
What are the lymph nodes
Strategically clumped in areas that might be exposed to large amounts of antigens
What are leukocytes?
They are the blood component associated with the immune response
What do most leukocytes consist of?
Granulocytes
What are the classifications that granulocytes are divided into? (3)
Neutrophils
Eosinophils
Basophils
What are the primary cells involved in phagocytosis? (2)
Neutrophils
Monocytes
What are the two classes of lymphocytes that are principal players in immune response?
T cells
B cells
Where do B cells come from?
Bone marrow
Where do T cells come from?
Thymus
What is the percentage of T cells in all lymphocytes?
80%
Where are T cells produced?
Thymus
What is the main function of T cells?
They help defend against foreign cells or viruses that enter the body
What is the percentage of B cells in the lymphocytes?
20%
Where are B cells produced?
Bone marrow
What is the function of B cells?
They have antigens or specific receptors that split apart and separate into specialized active forces (antibodies) and reserves (memory cells)
What are immunoglobulins?
They are antibodies