Immune Response Flashcards
Explain immunity.
Protection from disease and more specifically, infectious disease.
What is the immune response?
The immune response is the collective coordinated response of the cells and molecules of the immune system.
What are the two types of immune defences? Explain.
Innate - early response. Can distinguish self from non-self but not between pathogens.
Adaptive - later response. Specific response to recognised pathogens.
The innate response stimulates and influences the adaptive response which often enhances the defence of innate immunity.
Innate immunity is also known as what?
Natural or native immunity.
What does innate immunity consist?
Consists of cellular and biochemical defences that are in place before infection and rapidly respond to it. It normally responds to microbes.
Adaptive immunity is also known as?
Acquired or specific immunity.
Adaptive immunity recognised and reacts to?
A large number of microbes and non-microbes. It can distinguish between microbes.
Name six things that can be antigens.
- bacteria
- fungi
- viruses
- Protozoa
- parasites
- plant pollen
- poison ivy resin
- insect venom
- transplanted organs
- lipids
- nucleic acids
What is secreted in response to antigens? Explain.
Antibodies or immunoglobulins.
Antigens are recognised by receptors on immune cells and by proteins, which are then secreted to response to the antigens.
Name the four different immune system responses.
- active immunity
- passive immunity
- humoral immunity
- complement system
Explain active immunity.
- requires immunisation or contact with a disease
- called active because it depends on a response to an antigen by the immune system
- last long but takes a few days to weeks to become active after exposure
- responds quickly on subsequent exposure due to B and T cells and circulating antibodies
Explain passive immunity.
- immunity transferred from another source
- short term protection, lasting weeks to months
Explain humoral immunity.
- B lymphocytes that mature into plasma cells which produce and secrete antibodies
- combination of an antigen and antibody
Explain cell mediated immunity.
- provides protection against viruses, intracellular bacteria and cancer cells
- T lymphocytes and effectors macrophages
Explain the complement system.
Primary mediator of both innate and adaptive immunity that allows the body to produce an inflammatory response, lyse foreign cells and increase phagocytosis, must be activated in correct sequence.
