Blood and Immunity Flashcards
The blood component that provides the major defense for our bodies against invading bacteria and viruses
White blood cells – Leukocytes
The relatively clear liquid medium which carries the other cells of blood
plasma
Most of the volume of normal human blood is composed of..?
plasma
Where does hemopoiesis / hematopoiesis take place?
In red bone marrow
What do red blood cells do?
Designed to carry oxygen
Hematocrit
the ratio of the volume of red blood cells to the total volume of blood
Why do erythrocytes lack a nucleus?
They lose their nucleus during developpement to accommodate more hemoglobin so that they can transport more oxygen
What is the lifespan of a erythrocyte?
120 days
What changes occur in an individual’s blood when they go to higher altitudes for long periods of time? Why?
The number of red blood cells increase.
Pluripotent
Cells that have the potential to differentiate into any type of blood cell or into cells that produce platelets
How is RBC production controlled?
By a negative feedback mechanism that is sensitive to the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues via the blood.
What is plasma composed of?
fluids, proteins, glucose, gasses, wastes, and vitamins and minerals. (Valerie Makes a Painting With Fancy Glitter Glue)
Hemoglobin
A specialized protein that helps to carry oxygen
The body’s natural bandage to stop bleeding
Platelets
Digests bacteria in a specific area using phagocytosis (WBC)
Neutrophils
Responsible for adaptive immunity (WBC)
Lymphocytes
Used for antigen presentation (slow) (WBC)
Monocytes
Respond to multicellular parasites (WBC)
Eosinophils
Initiate inflammatory responses (WBC)
Basophils
Granulocytes (and where do they originate?)
Leukocytes contain granules in their cytoplasm and originate from the bone marrow
Agranulocytes (and where do they originate?)
Leukocytes which do not contain granules in their cytoplasm. Originate from lymph nodes.
Phagocytic attack
Non-specific - carried out by macrophages
Antibody-Mediated attack
Specific defences (antibodies are designed to attack only one type of invader.) - carried out by lymphocytes
What is the phagocytic attack process?
- Puts a coating on the invader (immobilizes it)
- Dissolves invader membrane (kills invader)
- Attracts the macrophage
- Macrophage
- Engulfs the remains
- Stores invader antigen info
(Can Dogs Actually Make Elves Sing?)
What is wrong with the phagocytic attack process? Why can’t our bodies only use it to fight off pathogens?
It is not sufficient for large concentrations of rapidly dividing foreign bodies
Antibody-Mediated Attack Process
Establishes antibodies for LONG TERM defense. Specific and targeted.
Clonal Selection
A certain B-cell and all the cells that derive from it will only make one type of antibody its whole life
Immunosuppressive response
Suppressor T cells tell immune system to stop the proliferation of immune cells
What cells trigger an immunosuppressive response?
Suppressor T cells