Anatomy/Physiology of the Immune System (complete)

Question 1

Define leukocytes

Answer 1

WBCs: Nucleated cells of the blood

Form buffy coat above RBCs when centrifuged

Question 2

Define mononuclear cells

Answer 2

Leukocytes who nucleus has a smooth outline

Includes: monocytes and lymphocytes

Question 3

Define polymorphonuclear cells

Answer 3

Nucleus is lobulated; may or may not have granules

Include: granulocytes

Question 4

Define granulocytes

Answer 4

Cells with prominent cytoplasmic granules

A type of polymorphonuclear cell

Eg: neutrophils (colorless granules), eosinophils (red granules), basophils (blue granules)

Question 5

Define mast cells

Answer 5

Cells with many granules

Release histamine and heparin

Think allergy and analphylaxis

Question 6

Define plasma/serum

Answer 6

Serum: does not have clotting factors

Plasma: has clotting factors; acellular component of blood

Question 7

What is the normal adult WBC count?

Answer 7

4,500 - 10,500 per microliter of blood

Question 8

Name major central lymphoid organs

Answer 8

Bone marrow and thymus

Question 9

Name major peripheral lymphoid organs

Answer 9

1) Lymph nodes
2) Spleen
3) Peyer’s patches and mesenteric lymph nodes of the gut
4) Tonsils
5) Adenoids

Question 10

Describe the recirculation of lymphocytes from blood to lymph and back

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Define antigen

Answer 11

Anything recognized by the immune system

Question 12

How is an antigen similar to an immunogen?

Answer 12

Immunogen is a type of antigen — produces an immune response

Question 13

Define antigenic determinant/epitope

Answer 13

The part of the antigen recognized by the immune receptor

Question 14

Discuss lymphocyte activation by antigen, including receptor binding, proliferation, differentiation

Answer 14

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)

Question 15

Draw a neutrophil

Answer 15

colorless granules, lobulated nucleus

Question 16

Draw an eosinophil

Answer 16

red granules, lobulated nucleus

Question 17

Draw a basophil

Answer 17

blue granules, lobulated nucleus

Question 18

Draw a small lymphocyte

Answer 18

eye ball

Question 19

Draw a lymphoblast

Answer 19

eye ball with primarily pupil, less cytoplasm than a lymphocyte

precursor to lymphocyte

Question 20

Draw a plasma cell

Answer 20

more cytoplasm than a lymphocyte, but still eye ball like

Question 21

Draw a monocyte

Answer 21

heart/kidney/horseshoe/kidney bean shaped nucleus, no granules

Question 22

Draw a graph with time on y-axis and lymphocyte #s on x-axis — in response to antigen administration

Answer 22

Think of the vaccine graph/memory

Starts at zero, increases, then decreases to halfway and remains stable

Question 23

What are the WBC differential percentages?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

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

Answer 24

All about antibodies and B cells