Basics of Immunity Flashcards
Intrinsic Factors
Genetic and developmental influences on immunity.
Extrinsic Factors
Environmental and husbandry influences on immunity.
Genetic Predisposition
Inherited traits affecting immune response.
Immune Gene Polymorphisms
Variations in immune-related genes among individuals.
Hereditary Disorders
Genetic conditions impacting immune function.
Epigenetic Regulation
Environmental factors altering gene expression.
Developmental Maturation
Growth stages affecting immune system readiness.
Thymic Function
Role of thymus in T-cell development.
Microbiome Colonization
Establishment of gut microbiota influencing immunity.
Physiological Factors
Body’s internal conditions affecting immune health.
Hormonal Factors
Hormones like cortisol impacting immune responses.
Thymic Involution
Age-related decrease in thymus size and function.
Nutrition and Feed Quality
Impact of diet on immune health in animals.
Gut Microbiota
Microorganisms in the gut influencing immunity.
Dysbiosis
Imbalance in gut microbiota affecting health.
Probiotics
Live microorganisms promoting gut health.
Prebiotics
Substances enhancing growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
Pathogen Exposure
Contact with pathogens stimulating immune response.
Vaccination Programs
Planned immunizations to enhance disease resistance.
Gut-Brain Connection
Interaction between gut health and brain function.
Innate Immunity
Non-specific first line of defense against pathogens.
Acquired Immunity
Specific immune response developed after exposure.
Phagocytes
Cells that engulf and destroy pathogens.
Complement System
Proteins enhancing pathogen destruction and inflammation.
Cytokines
Signalling molecules coordinating immune responses.
Cardinal signs of Inflammation
Redness, swelling, heat, and pain during immune response.
Acquired Immunity
Second line of defense with memory for pathogens.
Specificity of Acquired Immunity
Targets pathogens based on prior exposure.
Activation of Acquired Immunity
Triggered after exposure to specific pathogens.
Response speed of Acquired Immunity
Slower but highly effective compared to innate immunity.
Memory cells
Long-lived cells for rapid future immune responses.
B cells
Lymphocytes producing antibodies against specific pathogens.
T cells
Lymphocytes involved in cell-mediated immunity.
Antibodies
Proteins that neutralize specific pathogens.
Monocytes
White blood cells differentiating into macrophages or dendritic cells.
Phagocytosis
Engulfing and digesting pathogens and debris.
Antigen Presentation
Process linking innate and adaptive immune responses.
Macrophages
Differentiated monocytes residing in tissues for defense.
Cytokine Production
Release of signaling molecules to recruit immune cells.
Basophils
Granulocytes involved in allergic reactions and inflammation.
Eosinophils
Granulocytes defending against multicellular parasites.
Mast Cells
Tissue-resident cells releasing mediators in allergic responses.
Neutrophils
Most abundant white blood cells, frontline infection defenders.
Granulocytes
White blood cells with granules, including basophils and eosinophils.
Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)
Molecules presenting antigens to activate lymphocytes.
Neutrophils
Most abundant white blood cells, fight infections.
Phagocytosis
Process of engulfing and digesting pathogens.
Antimicrobial Proteins
Proteins that kill pathogens during immune response.
Lymphocytes
Central to adaptive immune system; includes B and T cells.
B Lymphocytes
Produce antibodies and provide humoral immunity.
Plasma Cells
Differentiated B cells that produce antibodies.
Memory Cells
Long-term immunity cells remembering past infections.
T Lymphocytes
Mediate cellular immunity against pathogens.
Helper T Cells
Activate B cells and other immune cells.
Cytotoxic T Cells
Kill virus-infected or cancerous cells.
Regulatory T Cells
Suppress immune responses to prevent autoimmunity.
Natural Killer Cells
Destroy abnormal cells without prior sensitization.
Perforin
Protein that forms pores in target cell membranes.
Granzymes
Enzymes that induce apoptosis in target cells.
Cytokines
Mediators of communication between immune cells.
Interleukins
Cytokines produced by immune cells for regulation.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Acute-phase protein indicating systemic inflammation.
Vasodilation
Widening of blood vessels to increase blood flow.
IL-1
Promotes fever and recruits immune cells.
IL-6
Stimulates acute-phase protein production and B cell differentiation.
IL-10
Suppresses excessive inflammation, promoting resolution.
Histamine
Chemical mediator causing vasodilation during inflammation.
Endothelial Cells
Cells that line blood vessels, regulate permeability.
Vascular Permeability
Increased movement of immune cells to injury site.
Chemokines
Cytokines directing immune cell migration.
Neutrophils
White blood cells that respond to inflammation.
Gradient
Concentration difference guiding immune cell movement.
IL-8
Chemokine specifically attracting neutrophils.
Prostaglandins
Lipid mediators causing pain, fever, vasodilation.
Leukotrienes
Lipid mediators attracting neutrophils, increasing permeability.
Inflammatory Response
Body’s reaction characterized by redness, swelling, pain.
Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α)
Pro-inflammatory cytokine activating endothelial cells.
Adhesion Molecules
Proteins aiding immune cell attachment to endothelium.
Antigen
Substance triggering immune response, often foreign.
Exogenous Antigens
Pathogens entering body from external sources.
Endogenous Antigens
Antigens from infected or mutated internal cells.
Autoantigens
Body’s own molecules mistaken for foreign invaders.
Allergens
Harmless substances causing exaggerated immune responses.
Hapten Antigens
Small molecules requiring proteins to elicit response.
B Cells
Immune cells producing antibodies against antigens.
T Cells
Immune cells recognizing and responding to antigens.
IgE Antibodies
Antibodies involved in allergic reactions.
Cytokines
Proteins facilitating communication between immune cells.
Arachidonic Acid
Fatty acid precursor for inflammatory mediators.
Tolerogen
Antigen inducing immune tolerance, not response.
Immune Tolerance
Immune system learns to ignore specific antigens.
Epitopes
Specific regions on antigens recognized by immune system.
Immunogenicity
Ability of antigen to provoke immune response.
Antigen Presentation
Process of presenting antigens to immune cells.
Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs)
Cells that present antigens using MHC molecules.
Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)
Proteins presenting antigens to immune system cells.
MHC Class I
Presents endogenous antigens to CD8+ T cells.
MHC Class II
Presents exogenous antigens to CD4+ T cells.
Antibodies
Proteins produced by B cells to neutralize antigens.
Antigen-Antibody Interaction
Binding of antibodies to specific antigens.
Cellular Communication
Processes by which cells convey signals.
Cell Receptors
Proteins detecting specific signaling molecules.
Signal Detection
Initial recognition of signaling molecules by receptors.
Signal Transduction
Process of converting signals into cellular responses.
Cellular Response
Cell’s reaction to detected signals.
T-cell Receptors (TCRs)
Bind to antigens presented by MHC molecules.
B-cell Receptors (BCRs)
Bind to free-floating antigens.
Self-Antigens
Body’s own molecules recognized by immune system.
Autoimmune Reactions
Immune response against self-antigens.
Transplanted Organ Molecules
Tolerogens from donor organs inducing tolerance.
Homeostasis
Balance maintained by immune tolerance mechanisms.
Cytokine receptors
Detect inflammation and pathogen-associated patterns.
Pattern recognition receptors
Identify pathogen-associated molecular patterns.
Complement System
Group of proteins aiding innate immunity.
Opsonization
Coating pathogens to enhance phagocytosis.
Membrane lysis
Formation of pores leading to pathogen death.
Anaphylatoxins
Complement proteins triggering mast cell activation.
Histamine
Chemical released by mast cells during inflammation.
Immune complexes
Antigen-antibody aggregates formed in immune response.
Fc receptors
Bind immune complexes for phagocytosis.
Dysregulation
Unregulated immune function causing tissue damage.
Type I Hypersensitivity
IgE-mediated response to allergens causing immediate symptoms.
Degranulation
Release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells.
Type II Hypersensitivity
IgG/IgM antibodies target cell surface antigens.
Cytotoxic Hypersensitivity
Cell damage via antibody-mediated complement activation.
Type III Hypersensitivity
Immune complexes deposit in tissues causing inflammation.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS)
Molecules causing tissue damage during immune responses.
Type IV Hypersensitivity
T cell-mediated delayed immune response.
CD4+ Th1 cells
T helper cells activating macrophages upon re-exposure.
CD8+ T cells
Cytotoxic cells directly killing infected target cells.
Immediate symptoms
Rapid reactions like itching and swelling.
Onset time
Time taken for hypersensitivity reactions to manifest.
Neutrophils
Key cells in Type III hypersensitivity response.
Autoimmune conditions
Diseases caused by immune complexes targeting self-antigens.
