BIOLOGICAL - Stress & immune system Flashcards
What is natural immunity?
A primitive system made of cells that are in the blood stream. They attack and ingest invading pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.
What is specific immunity?
A system based on cells known as lymphocytes. More specific than natural immunity.
What are the 2 types of specific immunity?
Cellular immunity
Humoral immunity
What is cellular immunity?
Contains lymphocytes called T cells. T cells attack cells recognized as foreign.
What is Humoral immunity?
Contains lymphocytes called B cells. In combination these are able to destroy outside cells such as bacteria.
What type of stressor lasts for short periods of time?
Acute time limited stressor
5-100 minutes
What overall affect do acute time limited stressors have on the immune system? (Shown by Segerstrom & Miller 2004)
Upregulation of natural immunity.
What is upregulation?
An improvement or increase in immune funtioning,
What type of stressor is everyday and occurs for a limited duration ?
Brief naturalistic stressors
What overall affect do brief naturalistic stressors have on the immune system? (Shown by Segerstrom & Miller 2004)
Seems to be a shift from cellular immunity towards humoral immunity but no overall effect.
Viruses are not dealt with as effectively as normal.
What type of stressor is long lasting?
Chronic stressors
What overall affect do chronic stressors have on the immune system? (Shown by Segerstrom & Miller 2004)
Down regulation of immunity due to release of cortisol.
How does ACTH release impact the immune system?
Signals for cortisol to be released.
Cortisol alters cytokine so that less cytokines are produced.
This results in reduced inflammation therefore slowing down wound healing.
How would prolonged levels of corticosteroids affect the immune system?
prolonged levels of corticosteroids can shrink the thymus glands thus preventing T cell production.
This reduced specific immunity.
