Immune System 1 Flashcards
What is immunology?
Physiological mechanisms that defend the body against invasion from other organisms
What is an immunogen?
A molecule that stimulates the immune system to produce a response.
What is an antigen?
The part of the immunogen that reacts with immune effector cells or soluble antibodies.
What is an epitope?
The part of the antigen that reacts with immune effector cells or soluble antibodies
Define pathogen
Any organism with a potential to cause a disease
State the 4 main types of pathogens.
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Fungi
- Parasites i.e worms
Name the process by which white blood cells are generated.
Haematopoiesis
What do potent haematopoietic stem cells differentiate into?
Two types of progenitors - the common lymphoid progenitor and the common myeloid progenitor
State the myeloid cells classification.
1) Granulocytes - neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil
2) Antigen presenting cells - monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells
3) Mast cells
State the lymphoid cells classification.
1) Small lymphocytes - B cells and T cells
2) Large lymphocytes - NK cells
State the primary lymphoid organs.
Bone marrow
Thymus
State the secondary lymphoid organs.
Spleen
Adenoids
Tonsils
Appendix
Lymph nodes
What are the primary lymphoid organs involved in?
Generation and maturation of beta cells, T cells and immune cells
What are the secondary lymphoid organs involved in?
Attacking the pathogen
Describe the role of the bone marrow.
B cells originate and mature in it
T cells originate in it but leave at an immature stage
Describe the role of the thymus.
- Immature T cells migrate here to complete their maturation
- As they differentiate they progress from the cortex into the medulla
Describe the role of secondary lymphoid tissues.
They are the sites where mature lymphocytes are activated to respond to invading pathogens.
Where are lymphatic vessels?
In the connective tissues throughout the body.
What is the role of lymphatic vessels?
They collect the plasma fluid that continually leaks out from blood vessels.
Where are lymph nodes located?
At the junctions of a network of lymphatic vessels.
What is the fluid inside lymphatic vessels called and how is it returned to the blood?
Lymph - via the thoracic duct