Immune response Flashcards
What is the role of a phagocyte?
A phagocyte is a type of white blood cell that is involved in a non-specific response. Phagocytes work by engulfing pathogens and digesting them.
What is a non-specific response?
The white blood cell attacks any foreign cell. A foreign cell is one where it is not recognised by the body. It shouldn’t be there.
Phagocytosis:
1) Phagocytes are attracted towards the pathogen.
2) They engulf the pathogen and produce a phagosome
3) Digestive enzymes inside lysosomes fuse with the phagosome and break down the pathogen.
4) Some parts of the pathogen is presented on the cell surface membrane.
How do pathogens make you sick?
1) Pathogens can burst cells
2) Pathogens can produce toxins
How are pathogens spread?
1) Through air
2) Through vectors eg: (malaria)
3) Through food and water
4) Through contact
5) Through body fluids
How do we prevent the spread of pathogens?
1) Isolation
2) Hygiene
3) Clean food
4) Vaccination
5) Destroying vectors
What are lymphocytes?
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that produce antibodies
What is an antibody?
It is a protein which is specific for a particular antigen.
What is an antigen?
An antigen is a foreign protein which is found on the surface of a pathogen, causing an immune response.
Types of immunity:
Non-specific (example: phagocytosis)
Specific (example: anti-bodies)
What is a vaccination?
A vaccination is when you are injected with a dead or weakened pathogen. This causes an immune response and produces memory towards another infection of this type.
