Antibody mediated immuntiy Flashcards
what does this type of immunity target?
-microorganisms that are found in body fluids e.g. blood and tissue fluid
how does antibody mediated immunity defend the body?
-through the production and action of antibodies
what is the definition of an antibody?
-globular proteins which are complementary to specific antigens and react with these antigens to lead to their destruction
how does antibody mediated immunity occur?
-bacteria enters the bloodstream
-a specific b lymphocyte with an exact complementary receptor fits to the bacterial antigen is sensitised
-the sensitised b lymphocyte divides rapidly by mitosis to form a clone
-the clones can develop into either plasma cells or memory cells
what is the job and characteristics of plasma cells?
-make large amounts of antibodies
-short lived
-these antibodies then neutralise the pathogens as a consequence of the antigen antibody reaction
what is the action of antibodies?
-they latch on to the bacterial antigens clumping bacteria together
what is the antigen antibody complex?
-the build up of antibodies in the body fluid will allow the necessary number to immobilise the bacteria which causes agglutination
-this clump is then engulfed by polymorphs
what are some other ways that antibodies can fight against infection?
-destruction of invading cells directly
-they can also act as opsonin (special chemicals) by attaching to phagocytes
what are some characteristics about memory cells?
-they can live for many years in the body fluid
-they remain inactive unless stimulated by the presence of the same pathogen
what happens if the body is reinfected by the same pathogen in terms of memory cells?
-the memory cells divide rapidly and produce lots of plasma cells
-these plasma cells produce the antibodies needed to destroy the pathogen while the memory cells provide further long term immunity
the response by the memory cells to a reinfection by the same pathogen is known as what?
-the secondary immune response
what is the primary immune response in terms of antibody mediated immuntiy?
-the initial response of the body when meeting the antigen for the first time
