Disorders Of The Immune System

Question 1

Hypersensitivity

Answer 1

Refers to when the immune system is inappropriately activated and the inflammation itself causes disease

Question 2

Why do people have allergies?

Answer 2

People with allergies mass produce ige which only activate mast cells when multiple are bind to but since there is so many, even small allergens like pollen can activate an allergic response

Question 3

What can pollen allergy cause? (Symptoms of hay fever)

Answer 3

• allergic rhinitis: allergic reaction of nasal cavity (sneezing)
• allergic conjunctivitis: allergic reaction in outer layer of the eye (pink eye)

More specific symptoms:

• narrow airways
• mucus in airways
• swollen and puffy eyes
• red eyes
• itchy eyes
• runny nose and sneezing

Question 4

Autoimmune disease

Answer 4

When the immune system mistakenly recognised self-cells as foreign and attacks them.

Question 5

What is multiple sclerosis

Answer 5

An autoimmune disease where the myelin sheath is targeted (these play a role in action potential). Can lead to impaired neurons leading to spasms, muscle weakness and impaired vision

Question 6

Immunodeficiency

Answer 6

Refers to a poorly functioning immune system or one that doesn’t work at all, leading to extra vulnerability to infection

Question 7

What does HIV do?

Answer 7

A virus that targets helper T-cells and destroys them, leaving the immune system impaired