Communicable diseases + monoclonal antibodies + infection and response Flashcards
What is phagocytosis?
WBC engulfs and digests pathogens
What is the process in the formation of monoclonal antibodies?
Antigen injected into mouse
The mouse naturally produces lymphocytes, which produce antibodies specific to the antigen
Spleen cells which produce the lymphocytes are removed during a small operation
The spleen cells are fused with human cancerous white blood cells called myeloma cells to form hybridoma cells which divide indefinitely
These hybridoma cells divide and produce millions of monoclonal antibodies specific to the original antigen
How are monoclonal antibodies used in pregnency?
HCG in womens urine will bind to antibodies on pregnecy test
This will cause a colour change
What are the benefits of monoclonal antibodies?
testing for pregnancy by detecting HCG hormones in urine
to treat conditions like cancer by carrying drugs directly to the tumour cells, and helping the immune system attack them
What are the Limitations of monoclonal antibodies?
very expensive to produce
unwanted side effects
What are the ethical issues of monoclonal antibodies?
use of animals to produce monoclonal antibodies
What are the different ways WBC protect us?
Phagocytosis
Lymphocytes release antibodies to destroy viruses
Lymphocytes release anti toxins to neutralise toxins from bacteria
What are the different ways the body stops pathogens from entering the body?
Skin
Stomach
Eyes
Breathing system
How does the skin prevent pathogens entering the body?
tough / dry / dead outer layer • skin acts as a barrier • sebum / oil on (surface of) skin • sebum / oil repels pathogens • scabs form over cuts
How the stomach prevent pathogens entering the body?
- contains (hydrochloric) acid
- (HCl) kills bacteria
- in food or in swallowed mucus
How do the eyes prevent pathogens entering the body?
- produce tears
- contains enzymes to kill bacteria
- tears are antiseptic
How does the breathing system prevent pathogens entering the body?
- trachea / bronchi / nose produce mucus
- mucus is sticky
- (mucus) traps bacteria
- (mucus) carried away by cilia
How does the body defend itself from pathogens inside of the body?
immune system / white blood cells (WBCs) WBCs engulf pathogens antitoxins are produced (antitoxins) neutralise toxins / poisons (produced by pathogen) antibodies are produced (antibodies) help destroy pathogens memory cells (are formed) more rapid response if pathogen re-enters
What is a pathogen?
A micro-organism which causes disease
What are the different ways pathogens are transmitted?
Direct contact - sexual contact during intercourse or non-sexual contact, like shaking hands
water - Dirty
air - sneezing - sprays droplets to the environment
unhygienic food preparation - Undercooked or reheated food can cause bacterial diseases
vector - Any organism that can spread a disease
