Defense Mechanism Flashcards
What are the two qualities of specific defence mechanism?
Name two examples
slower response and specific to each pathogen
cell-mediated response ( T-lymphocytes) Humoral response ( B-lymphocytes)
Define pathogen
any microorganism that can cause disease
Name the body’s defences to pathogens
Skin= physical barrier
hydrochloric acid
cilia/mucus
tears contain lysozymes
Define immunity
the means by which the body prevents infection
What are the two types of antigen and how does this occur?
self and non-self
each cell has specific proteins on its cell-surface
due to variety and a highly specific tertiary structure of proteins
What can immune systems identify?
pathogens
non-self material
toxins
abnormal body cells
Why are organ donations often unsuccessful and what medicine is used to stop this?
the body recognises the organ is non-self and attacks it
immunosuppressants help stop this
How do lymphocytes recognise self cells?
When in the womb, infection is rare
lymphocytes collide only with bodies own material
lymphocytes with receptors that fit the bodies own cells are killed or suppressed
In adults, they are made in the bone marrow and initially only encounter self-antigens any that respond go through apoptosis
Are phagocytes specific or nonspecific?
Non-specific
What are the two types of white blood cells?
phagocytes and lymphocytes
What are the two types of phagocytes and what makes them different?
Macrophage which presents
Neutrophil don’t
How do damaged cells attract phagocytes?
damaged cells release histamine which dilates blood vessels so phagocytes can arrive easily
What is pus?
dead pathogen and phagocytes
Describe how phagocytes deal with pathogens?
chemical product of pathogen attracts the phagocytes, phagocytes move down a con. gradient 2 pathogen
phagocytes have several receptors in its cell surface membrane that attach to the pathogen antigens
the pathogen is engulfed to form a vesicle by phagosome
Lysosomes migrate and fuse with the phagosome
lysosome release lysozymes into a phagosome which hydrolysis the pathogen, particularly the cell walls
hydrolysed product is absorbed by phagocytes into the cytoplasm