Defence Against Diseases Flashcards
What is a pathogen?
An organism that cause disease
What is immunity?
The ability to resist infection
What allows us to resist infection?
The human defence system
What is the general defence system?
It acts as a barrier to all pathogens attempting to gain entry to the human body
What does the general defence system consist of?
First part : skin, mucous membranes and their secretions = prevent entry of all pathogens
Second part : white blood cells and chemicals that destroy any pathogen that penetrate into the body or attempt to gain entry
Examples of the first line of defence
Skin - physical barrier that prevents pathogens from passing through
Clotting - If skin is broken, blood clotting prevents entry of further pathogens [prevents blood loss]
Lysozyme - enzyme found in sweat, tears and saliva which attacks and dissolve the cell wall of many bacteria t
Sebaceous glands - in the skin produce chemicals that kill bacteria [released in sebum oil]
Mucous - pathogens trapped by mucous and prevented from entering the body
Cilia - respiratory system is lined with tiny hairs known as cilia which beat and create a current, which moves mucous back up the respiratory system so that it can be swallowed into the stomach
Acid - hydrochloric acid in the stomach kills pathogens
Beneficial bacteria - in the vagina produce lactic acid which prevents the growth of pathogens
What is the second line of general defence?
Consists of the destruction of pathogens by white blood cells, the production of a series of proteins that kill or prevent pathogens from reproducing and the inflammatory response
What are phagocytise white blood cells
When cells are damaged by invading micro organisms they release a large number of chemicals which attract phagocytes from the bloodstream, the phagocytes engulf and destroy any micro-organisms they meet
What are macrophages?
Large phagocytes. Some move around body in body fluids and act as scavengers for pathogens whereas others remain in fixed places such as steel, lymph nodes and other lymphatic tissues, such as tonsils. They filter out and destroy any pathogens in lymph
What are two sets of defence proteins?
Complement
Interferons
Examples of the first line of defence
Skin - physical barrier that prevents pathogens from passing through
Clotting - If skin is broken, blood clotting prevents entry of further pathogens [prevents blood loss]
Lysozyme - enzyme found in sweat, tears and saliva which attacks and dissolve the cell wall of many bacteria t
Sebaceous glands - in the skin produce chemicals that kill bacteria [released in sebum oil]
Mucous - pathogens trapped by mucous and prevented from entering the body
Cilia - respiratory system is lined with tiny hairs known as cilia which beat and create a current, which moves mucous back up the respiratory system so that it can be swallowed into the stomach
Acid - hydrochloric acid in the stomach kills pathogens
Beneficial bacteria - in the vagina produce lactic acid which prevents the growth of pathogens
What is complement?
It’s a set of about 20 proteins found in the blood plasma
How are the proteins in complement help the human defence system?
The proteins in complement are activated by infection, and they destroy viruses and other pathogens
What are interferons?
A set of defence proteins that prevent viral multiplication and help to limit the spread of virus infections such as colds and influenza
What is the second line of general defence?
Consists of the destruction of pathogens by white blood cells, the production of a series of proteins that kill or prevent pathogens from reproducing and the inflammatory response
What are phagocytise white blood cells
When cells are damaged by invading micro organisms they release a large number of chemicals which attract phagocytes from the bloodstream, the phagocytes engulf and destroy any micro-organisms they meet
What are macrophages?
Large phagocytes. Some move around body in body fluids and act as scavengers for pathogens whereas others remain in fixed places such as steel, lymph nodes and other lymphatic tissues, such as tonsils. They filter out and destroy any pathogens in lymph
What are two sets of defence proteins?
Complement
Interferons
What is complement?
It’s a set of about 20 proteins found in the blood plasma
How are the proteins in complement help the human defence system?
The proteins in complement are activated by infection, and they destroy viruses and other pathogens
What are interferons?
A set of defence proteins that prevent viral multiplication and help to limit the spread of virus infections such as colds and influenza [they interferreeeONSSSS]
How does inflammation help the defence systeM?
When cells are infected they release a chemical that results in blood capillaries opening wider which causes localised swelling, redness, heat and pain. This brings more white blood cells to the area to fight infection.
What occurs when inflammation occurs over the whole body?
It causes increased body temperature = fever and this interferes with the ability of some bacteria and viruses to reproduce
What is the specific defence system?
Attack particular pathogens
How does the specific defence system work?
Production of antibodies or when white blood cells destroy body cells infected by specific pathogen
Where are monocytes and lymphocytes made?
Bone marrow, they move into blood vessels and into parts of lymphatic system [lymph vessels, nodes, spleen]
What are monocytes?
They develop into macrophages. These recognise foreign molecules [antigens] that are present on the surface of pathogens. When macrophage digests a pathogen, antigens from pathogens displayed on surface of macrophage. These antigens stimulate production of antibodies
How do lymphocytes fight infection?
Some lymphocytes attack body cells that contain antigens on surface. Cells may be infected with pathogen or may be cancerous
Other lymphocytes produce antibodies
What is an antigen?
It’s a foreign molecule that stimulates the production in antibodies