Immune function Flashcards
Immunity: definition
Body’s specific protective response to an invading foreign agent or organism
What are disorders of the immune system
Excesses or deficiencies of immunocompetent cells
Alterations in the function of these cells
Immunologic attack on self-antigens
Inappropriate or exaggerated responses to specific antigens
What are factors the influence immune function?
Central nervous system integrity Emotional status Medications Stress of illness Trauma Surgery
What are components in the body that are a part of the immune system?
Bone marrow WBC Lymphoid tissue Thymus gland Spleen Tonsils/adenoids
Autoimmunity
Normal protective immune response paradoxically turns against or attacks the body, leading to tissue damage
Hypersensitivity
Body produces inappropriate or exaggerated responses to specific antigens
Gammopathies
Immunoglobulins are overproduced
Primary immune deficiency
Deficiency results from improper development of immune cells or tissues; usually congenital or inherited
Secondary immune deficiency
Deficiency results from some interference with an already developed immune system; usually acquired later in life
What do lymph nodes do?
Remove foreign material from the lymph system before it enters the bloodstream. They are centers for the proliferation of immune cells
Where are lymph nodes located?
Distributed throughout the body throughout the body and connected by lymph channels and capillaries
Natural immunity
Provides a nonspecific response to any foreign pathogen, regardless of the pathogen’s composition.
Natural immunity is dependent on what?
The ability to distinguish between self and non-self
Natural immunity coordinates what?
The initial response to pathogens through the production of cytokines
What are the 2 stages of natural immunity?
immediate or delayed
Natural immunity: physical and chemical barriers do what
Help immune system response - prevent or delay entry into the body of various pathogens before infection can develop
Example of physical and chemical barriers
_____
Physical and chemical barriers (Natural immunity) - interferon-viricidal protein
_____ GO read in book
Natural immunity: inflammatory response
Tissue injury or pathogens
Facilitated by physical and chemical barriers
Natural immunity: immune response
Successful immune response eliminates the responsible antigen
Disorders with constant inflammatory response – hypersensitivity reaction