Chapter 5- Cell Recognition And Immune System Flashcards
What is a pathogen? Name an example.
A microorganism that causes infectious diseases.
E.g. Virus, bacteria, protists, fungi
What is a toxin?
A poisonous substance produced by a living organism.
Animals can produce toxins to kill prey.
What is an antigen?
- refer to genetic mutations.
A foreign molecule (protein) that stimulates an immune response.
- Genetic mutations in a pathogen can cause antigens to change… therefore a person has to launch an new immune response.
The Immune response 1
Describe the process of phagocytosis.
- Phagocyte is attracted to pathogen by chemicals.
- Phagocyte has many receptors on membrane, these attach to chemicals on pathogen
- Lysosomes migrate towards phagosome (formed via engulfing pathogen)
- Lysosomes release lysozymes which hydrolyse the pathogen
- Products are then absorbed by phagocyte.
The Immune response 2
Describe the cellular response
- After phagocytosis, the phagocyte contains debris from the hydrolysed pathogen
- It contains a useful antigen, which is moved towards the cell membrane of the phagocyte
- Only 1 Helper T cell receptor fits antigen via process of clonal selection
- Mitosis allows cloning of helper T cell so many activated cytotoxic helper T cells are produced
What do helper T cells do after cellular response?
- become memory cells: these circulate in blood ready to respond to future infection by same pathogen
- Stimulate B cells to divide
- stimulates phagocytosis
- Activates cytotoxic cells which kill infected cells by making holes in membranes of them
The Immune Response 3
Describe the humoral response
It uses B cells that are stimulated to divide from cellular response
- B cell has specific receptor for that antigen. It engulfs the pathogen using this
- A vesicle forms round the pathogen and lysozymes hydrolyse it
- Processed antigen is then portrayed on outside of B cell
- Helper T cell binds to B Cell and stimulates clonal selection of B cells by mitosis
- These B Cells produce plasma cells and memory cells
What do plasma and memory cells do?
Primary response - Plasma Cells attach to antigens on pathogens to destroy it via secreting antibodies
Secondary response - Memory cells circulate in blood ready to respond to future infection by same pathogen
- they do this by dividing into plasma cells.
What is an antibody? Label structures
A protein able to bind to a specific antigen. They are secreted by plasma cells.
- Variable region - specific amino acid sequence
- Antigen binding site
- Light and heavy polypeptide chain
- Hinge region - disulfide bridge
- Chain of sugar molecules
How do antibodies destroy antigens?
- Agglutination - antibodies each bind to an antigen on 2 separate pathogens, causing them to clump via a network of antigen-antibody complexes
- Subsequent phagocytosis - the clump makes it easier for phagocytes to locate pathogens - antibodies serve as marker.
Differences between active and passive immunity [3]
- In ACTIVE antibodies are secreted by plasma cells whereas in PASSIVE antibodies are introduced into body from outside
- ACTIVE is longer term as memory cells are developed whereas PASSIVE is shorter term because no memory cells are created.
- ACTIVE takes longer to develop whereas PASSIVE is fast acting
Examples of active and passive immunity
ACTIVE:
Natural - normal immune response
Artificial - vaccination
PASSIVE:
Natural - antibodies from placenta to foetus
Artificial - anti-venom
How does vaccination work? - non exam style
- vaccines contain isolated antigen molecules, dead pathogens or live but attenuated (weakened) pathogens. However must still have required antigen on surface
- when injected: leads to primary response and memory cells are made
- on second exposure- memory cells bind to antigen and:
- Rapidly divide into plasma cells which leads to a faster production of antibodies at a higher concentration.
What is herd immunity?
- form of indirect protection from infectious disease.
- occurs when a sufficient % of population are immune to infection (through vaccination) which results in a reduced chance of infection for those who lack immunity.
Why is herd immunity important?
IMPOSSIBLE TO VACCINATE EVERYONE:
- infants immune system is still developing
- some people are very ill and can’t be vaccinated
- allergies
- ethical/religious obligations