human defence system Flashcards
define pathogen
an organism that causes disease
define immunity
the ability to resist disease
give the two parts of the human defence system that allows the body to resist infection
general defence system, specific defence system
the general defence system is non-specific, what does this mean?
it acts against all pathogens
true or false, the general defence system acts as a barrier to all pathogens which attemp to gain entry into the body
true
what does the first part of the general defence system consist of
skin, mucous membranes and secretions
what does the second part of the general defence system consist of
white blood cells and chemicals
give the function of the skin
provides a structural barrier to infection
give the function of clotting
prevents blood loss and prevents entery of further pathogens
give the funtion of lysozyme
an enzyme found in sweat, tears and saliva- it attacks and breaks down bacterial cell walls
give the function of sebaceous glands
found in skin- produce chemicals that are released in sebum (oil) that kills bacteria
give the funtion of mucous
traps pathogens and prevents their entry
give the funtion of cilia
tiny hairs that line the respiratory system which beat and create a current to move mucous back up the respiratory system so it can be swallowed into the stomach
give the funtion of acid in the general defence system
e.g HDl in stomach kills pathogens
give a function of beneficial bacteria in the general defence system
some can produce lactic acid which prevents the growth of pathogens
what does the second line of general defence consist of?
destruction of pathogens by white blood cells, production of a series of proteins that kill or prevent pathogens from reproducing, the inflammatory response
what are phagocytic white blood cells?
white blood cells called phagocytes that engulf and destroy any bacteria, viruses or other micro-organisms
explain the mechanism of phagocytes (phagocytosis)
cells which are damaged by micro-organisms release chemicals to attract white blood cells. some large phagocytes called macrophages move around in bodily fluids e.g lymph. they destroy and filter out pathogens by grabbing onto the pathogen with receptors, surrounding it and then digesting it
write a short note on defence proteins
these are proteins that get activiated by an infection and destroy viruses and pathogens. the set of around 20 proteins found in blood plasma is called compliment
what are interferons
are another set of defence proteins that prevent viral multiplication- limiting spread of viral infections e.g cold and flu
explain what happens during inflammation
infected cells release a chemical that causes blood capillaries to dilate and become more porous. this causes localised swelling, redness, headaches and pain. causes more white blood cells to come to the area the fight the infection. inflammation can occur over all over the body which can cause increased body temperature (fever) which affects the ability of some bacteria and viruses to reproduce
what’s another name for the specific defense system
the immune system
what does the immune system do
it attacks specific pathogens by producing antibodies or works when wbcs destroy body cells that are infected by a particular pathogen