Chapter 5 - Health And Disease - Immune Response Flashcards
If pathogens compromise first line of defence (skin, lungs etc), the body has a second line of defence to protect us which is …
Our immune system which releases white blood cells to fight infection
What is the name for the proteins that all cells and viruses have on there outer surfaces, and what do they do?
Antigens - help body to recognise whether it (certain cell) is foreign or not
What triggers an immune response?
When pathogens are recognised due to their antigens
What are the 2 different responses?
Non-specific or specific response
Which type of white blood cells are involved in non-specific immune response?
Phagocytes
Which type of white blood cells are involved in specific immune response?
Lymphocytes
What do phagocytes (non-specific) do?
Engulf and destroy any pathogen by the process of phagocytosis
What are antibodies?
They attach to pathogens and help to destroy it
What do lymphocytes target?
Only specific types of pathogens
What are the 3 stages of how a lymphocyte destroys a pathogen?
- A lymphocyte with an antibody that perfectly fits the antigen (of the pathogen) is activated
- This lymphocyte divides over and over again to produce clones of identical lymphocytes
- Some of the lymphocytes secrete large amounts of antibodies. The antibodies stick the antigens and destroy the pathogen. Other lymphocytes remain in the blood as memory lymphocytes
What are memory lymphocytes?
They are ready to respond immediately if the same antigen ever turns up again
What happens if the same kind of pathogen tries to infect you again?
The memory lymphocytes cause a much faster secondary response - immune to that specific pathogen
