Defense against infectuous disease 2.0 Flashcards
What is the Immune system?
The immune system is the
organ system responsible
for defending the body
against infection
What are pathogens?
Pathogens are cells that
are able to cause disease.
First body of defense
Skin and mucous membranes are the body’s first defense
against pathogens.
blood clotting
When the skin is cut,
damaged blood vessels
cause bleeding. This
initiates blood clotting
which stops bleeding and
seals the wound.
What are platelets?
Platelets are small cell
fragments that flow in the blood.
When the skin in cut, they
gather at the damaged site.
What does blood clotting result in?
Clotting factors result in the production the thrombin enzyme.
Thrombin then converts fibrinogen protein into fibrin polymers.
What is fibrin?
Fibrin is insoluble and so
forms a mesh at the wound
site where the platelets are.
What is coronary thrombosis?
A blood clot that forms in the coronary artery is called a coronary
thrombosis.
What is the role of white blood cells?
White blood cells (aka
leucocytes) are cells
responsible for identifying
pathogens and protecting the
body from infection.
What are Phagocytes?
Phagocytes are a type of white-blood cell that are able to move out
of the capillaries to sites of infection.
What is Phagocytosis?
Phagocytes non-specifically engulf pathogens via endocytosis.
This process is referred to as phagocytosis.
What are antigens?
A foreign substance which induces an immune response in the body, especially the production of antibodies.
What are lymphocytes?
Lymphocytes are
WBC’s that produce
antibodies, each of
which binds to specific
antigens.
What is the antibody role?
Each antibody has a
region that is specific to
an antigen. When an
antibody binds to the
antigen on a pathogen,
it aids in controlling the
infection.
What are plasma cells?
The presence of antigens stimulates the corresponding lymphocyte to
produce large clones called plasma cells.
