Defence against pathogens Flashcards

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1
Q

Immune system

A

If a pathogen enters our body due to failure of non specific defence system:
It destroys pathogens + toxins
Protects us if same type of pathogen enters again

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2
Q

What makes up the immune system?

A

White blood cells that travel in the blood

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3
Q

How do white blood cells respond to an infection

A

White blood cells:
Engulf it (phagocytosis) + destroy
Release antibodies
Releases antitoxins

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4
Q

How does phagocytosis work?

A

WBC detects chemicals released from pathogen and goes to it
INGESTS the pathogen
Uses enzymes to destroy them

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5
Q

What white blood cells name engulf the pathogen?

A

Phagocytes

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6
Q

What are antibodies and what are they made of?

A

Protein molecules
Represented by the Y shape

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7
Q

How do antibodies work?

A

Released by WBCs
Stick to the pathogen
Triggers pathogens to be destroyed

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8
Q

What’s special about antibodies?

A

They are very specific to each pathogen
Ie the antibodies are designed for one specific pathogen ONLY

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9
Q

How long do antibodies stay in the blood for?

A

A long time

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10
Q

How do antibodies protect us from future possible infections

A

If you get infected by pathogen,
The WBCs make specific antibodies against this pathogen
Which after the infection is gone still remain in the blood
So if that pathogen enters again, the pre existing antibodies will destroy the pathogen immediately

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11
Q

What are antitoxins and how do they work?

A

Chemicals produced by WBCs (not antibodies!!)
That stick to toxins produced by bacteria
Prevents the antitoxins from damaging cells and making us unwell

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12
Q

What is the name of the white blood cell that releases antibodies and antitoxins?

A

Lymphocytes

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13
Q

What do vaccines contain

A

Dead or inactive forms of the pathogen that we are being vaccinated against

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14
Q

Do vaccines cause the disease in patient?

A

No because the pathogens are DEAD or INACTIVE

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15
Q

How do vaccines work?

A

Enter the dead/inactive pathogen
Stimulates WBCs to release antibodies against it
But these WBCs divide by mitosis = copies of itself
That stay in the body for decades
So if the ALIVE version of the pathogen enters
These WBCs release the specific antibody much quicker = no infection

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16
Q

Herd immunity

A

If as many people possible get vaccinated, they won’t pass the disease on
So unvaccinated people won’t be infected: no one can pass the pathogen on

17
Q

Penicillin

A

An antibiotic discovered in 1940s

18
Q

What do antibiotics do?

A

Kill infective bacteria in the HUMAN BODY without harming body cells

19
Q

Antibiotic resistance

A

Some antibiotics have been overused
So bacteria evolved to be resistant to the antibiotic

20
Q

Problem with antibiotic resistance

A

In the future bacterial diseases will be more difficult to treat

21
Q

Properties of antibiotics

A

Doctors prescribe them specifically for specific bacteria
They can’t kill virus

22
Q

Why won’t doctors prescribe antibiotics for viral diseases?

A

Because they will not destroy virus
So it’s a bit pointless

23
Q

Painkillers

A

Treat symptoms of infections
By relieving pain
BUT THEY DO NOT KILL PATHOGENS SO TREAT THE DISEASE

24
Q

What drug will be prescribed for a virus?

A

Painkillers to relieve symptoms
Not antibiotics
But usually no specific antiviral drugs

25
Q

Why aren’t there many antiviral drugs?

A

Difficult to develop them without harming body tissues
As virus enters the body cells and reproduce inside