HUMORAL VS CELL MEDIATED IMMUNE RESPONSE Flashcards
What is immunization?
The process of providing immunity artificially by increasing an organism’s reaction to an antigen, improving its ability to resist infection.
What is the purpose of immunization?
To induce an immune response to a specific disease by exposing an individual to an antigen, raising antibodies to that antigen.
What is immunity?
All mechanisms that allow an organism to recognize foreign materials and neutralize, eliminate, or metabolize them with or without injury to its tissues.
How does active immunity develop?
It develops in response to an infection or vaccination and is divided into natural and artificial immunity.
How does active natural immunity develop?
The body is exposed to an antigen through infection, producing memory cells for future immunity.
Give an example of active natural immunity.
Wild infection with hepatitis A virus (HAV), leading to lifelong protection.
How does active artificial immunity develop?
The body is exposed to a harmless antigen through vaccination, producing antibodies and memory cells for long-term protection.
What is vaccination?
The procedure of injecting a vaccine to produce immunity against a disease.
What types of vaccines are used for active artificial immunity?
- Attenuated microbes (e.g., MMR vaccine).
- Killed or inactivated organisms, fragmented microorganisms, or antigens produced by recombinant DNA technology (e.g., influenza vaccine).
- Toxoid vaccines (e.g., tetanus vaccine).
What does a vaccine contain?
An agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism, often made from weakened or killed microbes, toxins, or surface proteins.
How does vaccination work?
It enables the immune system to produce memory cells against a pathogen without causing the disease, making a person immune without symptoms.
What is the purpose of booster shots?
They maintain larger populations of memory cells, ensuring a stronger secondary immune response for long-lasting immunity.
Why do some vaccines contain multiple antigens?
To protect against different strains of pathogens.
What are the two main components of a vaccine?
- The Antigen – A protein from bacteria or a virus that tells the immune system what to react to.
- The Adjuvant – A component that enhances the immune response to the vaccine.
Why is the choice of adjuvant important?
It can significantly affect how effectively a vaccine stimulates an immune response.
What are the benefits of vaccination?
- Eradication of some diseases (e.g., smallpox).
- Reduced rate of infection, illness, and death.
- Reduced long-term disability.
What are the potential dangers of vaccination?
- A small percentage of vaccinations may cause side effects, sometimes serious or lethal.
- Artificial immunity may not be as effective as natural immunity.
- Excessive vaccination may weaken the immune system’s response to new diseases.
