Exam 2: Immunology Flashcards
What is immunology?
the study of the protection of disease by a coordinated response of the immune system cells
What are the two types of immunology?
- innate
- adaptive
This is the first line of defense that occurs early and rapid and lacks an organized attack
innate immunity
T/F innate immunity recognizes self vs. nonself cells
true
What physical barriers are included in innate immunity?
▪ Skin, mucous membranes, saliva, urine/tears, stomach acid, phagocytic leukocytes, specialized lymphocytes (NK cells) ▪Phagocytes and NK cells just blindly rush to the intruder ▪Some cells eat the intruder, and PRESENT THE ANTIGEN (antigen presenting cells) to the other immune cells
This defense is secondary, specific/acquired and slower to respond but has a more effective approach. It recognizes the threat, plans, and attacks using specialized cells
adaptive immunity
What are the 2 types of responses for adaptive immunity?
▪ Humoral- B-cells
▪ Cell-Mediated T cells
What do humoral B cells do and where are they located?
create antibodies to fight the intruder (located in the blood)
What do cell mediated T cells do and where are they located?
activate phagocytes or kill host cells which holds the intruder (inside cells)
What is the complement cascade and what does it do?
it is a group of proteins that rid the blood of the debris from phagocytized cells and they help out by getting rid of debris (enhancing antibody response)
What are antibodies and how do they operate in the body?
They are a response to a specific foreign substance in the body and are unique to that specific antigen. They bind to microbes before invasion and mark them for destruction.
How long does antibodies last in the body?
forever
What do IGM’s indicate?
initial exposure to an antigen (meet… you can only meet someone one time )
What are IGGs?
established antibodies that continue circulating (greet… you can greet someone infinite times, but only meet someone one time)
Which immunoglobulin indicates if someone has immunity over something (titers)?
IGG
How are antibodies received in the body?
from Mother (IGG: these cross the placenta) or through vaccination (passive immunity)
What type of cells do T lymphocytes recognize?
antigen presenting cells
What do helper T cells do?
help out B cells with antibody production and phagocytes destroy their contents
For humoral immunity:
- Where do the cells defend?
- What do B cells produce?
- How do B cells operate in the body?
- Where do antibodies connect?
- in the blood and mucous (humorous)
- antibodies
- they recognize the antigen, differentiate into plasma cells and then secrete specific antibodies
- antibodies connect to antigens floating in the blood or the SURFACE of cells
How do T cells in cell mediated immunity recognize antigen presenting cells?
by receiving the signal from the B-cells
Which immunity is cell mediated immunity?
T cell immunity
Which immunity is humoral immunity?
B cell immunity
What action does helper T cells have in the body?
They help regulate almost all other immune cells and release cytokines to help signal antigens for further destruction/help from other
immune system cells
What action does cytotoxic T cells have in the body?
They kill the intracellular antigens by injecting enzymes into the cell where viruses/cancers/bacteria are and induce apoptosis
These cells are considered CD4 cells:
helper T cells
These cells are considered CD8 cells:
cytotoxic T cells
Basophils and eosinophils results in a:
fungal infection
Whole T cells are released into what kind of cells?
- suppressor T cells
- helper T cells
- cytotoxic T cells
What factors affect immune responses?
- age
- nutritional status
- stress
What organ produces T cells?
thymus
The thymus of newborns are:
fully functional and full sized at birth
How do newborns produce IGMs?
through environmental exposure after birth (takes about a year for them to get to adult level immune responses (IGG)
This population has a decreased immune function
elderly
Why do elderly have a decreased immune function?
due to atrophy of the thymus (decreases the amount of T cells and thus the lymphocytes become unresponsive)
What does malnutrition result in?
decrease in immune cells (due to chronic stress on the body)
This results in a chronic inflammatory response that decreases the body’s response to actual intruders once they’ve entered the body:
obesity
What does stress do to the body?
suppresses the immune response (herpes/cold sores flare during stress)
What is hypersensitivity?
A whole group of disorders of the immune system being too responsive to a NONPATHOGENIC SUBSTANCE/ANTIGEN
Describe the type 1 response (immediate response) to an antigen:
○ Rapid rxn to the antigen
○ Happens within minutes
○ Range in severity from itching, hives, to anaphylaxis