Anatomy/Physiology of the Immune System (complete) Flashcards
Define leukocytes
WBCs: Nucleated cells of the blood
Form buffy coat above RBCs when centrifuged
Define mononuclear cells
Leukocytes who nucleus has a smooth outline
Includes: monocytes and lymphocytes
Define polymorphonuclear cells
Nucleus is lobulated; may or may not have granules
Include: granulocytes
Define granulocytes
Cells with prominent cytoplasmic granules
A type of polymorphonuclear cell
Eg: neutrophils (colorless granules), eosinophils (red granules), basophils (blue granules)
Define mast cells
Cells with many granules
Release histamine and heparin
Think allergy and analphylaxis
Define plasma/serum
Serum: does not have clotting factors
Plasma: has clotting factors; acellular component of blood
What is the normal adult WBC count?
4,500 - 10,500 per microliter of blood
Name major central lymphoid organs
Bone marrow and thymus
Name major peripheral lymphoid organs
1) Lymph nodes
2) Spleen
3) Peyer’s patches and mesenteric lymph nodes of the gut
4) Tonsils
5) Adenoids
Describe the recirculation of lymphocytes from blood to lymph and back
Lymphocytes go through postcapillary venules within lymph node —> encounter high cuboidal endothelial cells —> pass between these cells and into the following node until the thoracic duct —> R. brachiocephalic v.
Define antigen
Anything recognized by the immune system
How is an antigen similar to an immunogen?
Immunogen is a type of antigen — produces an immune response
Define antigenic determinant/epitope
The part of the antigen recognized by the immune receptor
Discuss lymphocyte activation by antigen, including receptor binding, proliferation, differentiation
Lymphocyte encounters an antigen epitope; several nearby receptors must be simultaneously bound by antigen
Once activated —> lymphocytes proliferate
Can also differentiate into effectors (do the combat) and memory cells (think vaccines)
Draw a neutrophil
colorless granules, lobulated nucleus
Draw an eosinophil
red granules, lobulated nucleus
Draw a basophil
blue granules, lobulated nucleus
Draw a small lymphocyte
eye ball
Draw a lymphoblast
eye ball with primarily pupil, less cytoplasm than a lymphocyte
precursor to lymphocyte
Draw a plasma cell
more cytoplasm than a lymphocyte, but still eye ball like
Draw a monocyte
heart/kidney/horseshoe/kidney bean shaped nucleus, no granules
Draw a graph with time on y-axis and lymphocyte #s on x-axis — in response to antigen administration
Think of the vaccine graph/memory
Starts at zero, increases, then decreases to halfway and remains stable
What are the WBC differential percentages?
Neutrophils: 40-60%, 1800 - 6300 microL
Eosinophils: 1-4%, 45 - 420
Basophil: 0.5-1%, 22.5 - 105
Monocytes: 2-8%, 90 - 840
Lymphocytes: 20-40%, 900 - 4200
Describe “humoral” (antibody-mediated) in terms of: types of lymphocytes involved, nature of the molecules they release when activated, types of inflammatory cells they preferentially involve
All about antibodies and B cells
