Chapter 8.3 Flashcards
What is the other transport system in the body known as?
The lymphatic system
What is the lymphatic circulatory system?
A network of vessels with associated glands or nodes that extend throughout the body
What do the lymphatic vessels collect?
A fluid called lymph which is made of interstitial fluid
What color is lymph?
Colorless or pale yellow. It is much like the plasma in blood
What does the lymphatic system do?
Helps to maintain the balance of fluid in the body
How does plasma enter the interstitial fluid?
As blood circulates through the body, some plasma escapes from the capillaries and becomes part of the interstitial fluid that bathes the cells of the body
What does plasma that leaks from the capillaries go?
From the interstitial fluid it is absorbed into the lymphatic system. Eventually it re-enters the circulatory system through ducts that empty into large veins near the heart
What do lymph formations look like?
Since they are not a continuous cycle, they form close ended tubes around capillaries that are to be delivered to the heart
Where are specialized lymph capillaries found?
In the intestinal villi. They help to carry digested fats throughout the body
How does the lymphatic system work with white blood cells?
They allow lymphocytes (white blood cells) to mature in lymph nodes
What do lymph nodes contain?
Aside from allowing white blood cells to mature in them, they contain macrophages
What do macrophages do?
They trap and destroy bacteria that are circulating within the body
What does an infection cause your immune system to do?
Increase the number of macrophages and lymphocytes in your lymph nodes
How does the human body defend itself against pathogens?
By either preventing them from entering or destroying them if they do enter
What are the 3 groups of the bodies defence of pathogens?
- Barriers to keep pathogens out
- General or non-specific defences against a wide variety of pathogens
- Specific defenses against particular pathogens
What are the common physical and chemical barriers against pathogens?
Eyelashes
Cilia
Tears
Stomach Acid
What is the largest barrier against pathogens?
The skin
Why is the skin a hostile environment for micro-organisms?
Because it is dry and contains large amounts of tough indigestible keratin
What does the skin’s oil contain?
Bactericides. Perspiration also forms an acidic layer that is inhospitable for microbial growth
What is the second line of defence in the body?
Non-specific defenses
What is the non-specific defenses made up of?
3 types of white blood cells called macrophages, neutrophils and monocytes
What is cell mediated immunity?
A non-specific defense where 3 types of white blood cells are released
What do neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages do?
They are white blood cells that kill bacteria using phagocytosis
How are macrophages made?
They develop from monocytes
Where are macrophages found?
Liver, Spleen, Brain, Lungs, and circulate in the blood and interstitial fluid
What does non-specific defense also include?
Natural killer cells which target body cells that have become cancerous or infected by viruses
What is the 3rd line of defense called?
Immunity
What is immunity developed by?
The actions of specific defenses that use antibodies
What is antibody-mediated defenses?
A specific defence using antibodies
What are antibodies?
Proteins that recognize foreign substances and act to neutralize or destroy them
Why does each person develop an immune system?
Because of exposure to foreign substances and variation in genetic makeup
Why do some diseases require a stronger response than others?
Because they are more virulent than others
What is the specific immune system primarily a function of?
Lymphocytes in the circulatory system
What are the 2 specific groups that lymphocytes are divided into?
Depending on where they mature they may be B lymphocytes (B cells) or T lymphocytes (T cells)
Where do B cells mature?
In the bone marrow
Where do T cells mature?
The thymus gland which is located near the heart