Disease And Immunity 1.1 Flashcards
How do pathogens cause disease?
Producing toxins
Damaging cells: they do this by rupturing them to release nutrients,
Breaking down the nutrients inside them,
Replicating inside the cells and bursting them.
Name the three main interfaces.
The gas exchange system
Skin
Digestive system
Name 2 risk factors associated with coronary heart disease.
Poor diet, smoking, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol intake.
Name 3 risk factors associated with cancer.
Smoking, excessive exposure to sunlight, excessive alcohol intake.
What are antigens?
Antigens are molecules (usually proteins or polysaccharides) found on the surface of cells, which activate the immune system.
Describe the functions of an antibody
Coating the pathogen to make it easier for the pathogen engulf.
Coating the pathogen to make it harder to enter host cells.
Binding to and neutralise the toxins produced by the pathogen.
What is the cellular and humeral response?
Cellular- t-cells and other immune systems cells that interact with phagocytes for example
Humeral- b-cells and the production of antibodies.
How does the secondary response differ from the primary response?
The secondary response happens quicker than the primary it is a stronger response, that primarily uses memory cells to produce plasma cells which secrete antibodies specific to the antigens.
What does a vaccine contain?
Free or attached antigens to a dead or attenuated pathogen that cause your body to produce an immune response.
What is herd immunity?
Vaccines protect individual that have them and, because they reduce the occurrence of the disease, those not vaccinated are also less likely to catch the disease.
What are the disadvantages of taking vaccines orally?
They can be broken down by enzymes in the gut.
Molecules of the vaccine may be too large to be absorbed by the blood.
How is it possible for someone to catch flu twice?
Antigenic variation, where the antigen changes shape.
What are monoclonal antibodies and what are they used for?
Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies produced from a single group of genetically identical B-cells, which means they are all identical in structure.
They can be used to target specific substances or cells.
Explain the use of monoclonal in targeting cancer cells.
Cancer cells have antigens called tumour markers that are not found on normal body cells. Monoclonal antibodies can be made to bind to the tumour markers. They can also be attached to anti-cancer drugs, so specific anti-cancer drugs will only accumulate where the cancer cells are.
Explain the use of monoclonal antibodies in pregnancy tests.
Pregnancy tests detect the hormone HCG found in the urine of pregnancy tests. The application area of pregnancy tests contain antibodies for HGC bound to a coloured bead. When urine is applied the HCG will bind to the antibodies and move to the test strip with the beads where it will turn blue.
