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My MCAT > Immune System > Flashcards

Immune System Flashcards

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1
Q

One key role of antibodies is to recognize substances/cells that need to be eliminated. What is another key role antibodies have?

A

To be recognized by other components of the immune system

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2
Q

the two heavy chains and two light chains of antibodies are linked by what type of bonds?

A

disulfide bonds

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3
Q

“top” ends of antibodies that bind to the target antigen, and differs in each type of antibody. These region distinguishes one antibody from another

A

variable region

the variable region contributes to the antigen binding site

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4
Q

the specific part of an antigen that an antibody recognizes

A

epitope

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5
Q

the antigen-recognizing area of the antibody

A

paratope

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6
Q

What are T-cells roles?

A
  • To recognize cells that have been damaged by viral infections or have malfunctioned
  • Killing these infected cells
  • Activating other immune cells
  • Produce cytokines
  • Regulating immune response
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7
Q

What cells modulate immune responses based on antigen fragments that are presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II?

A

T-cells

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8
Q

receives protein fragements from inside the cell and presents them extracellularly as antigens that T cells can respond to; serve as an internal quality checkpoint

A

MHC class I

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9
Q

Shows fragments of antigens from external invaders that have been engulfed so that CD4+ and helper T cells can recruit response; expressed primarily in macrophages and macrophage-like cells (i.e dendritic and B-cells)

A

MHC class II

think of this as a scouting report; they are a way for cells that destroy foreign bodies to tell the rest of the body what they’ve found in order for a more coordinated response to be produced

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10
Q

process by which cells present antigens on their membranes

A

antigen presentation

all nucleated cells are antigen-presenting bc they express MHC class I

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11
Q

What is considered a professional antigen-presenting cell?

A

Any specialized cell that expresses MHC class II

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12
Q

the innate immune system is split into two components….

A
  1. non-cellular component
  2. cellular component

can act independently or be coordinated

the non-cellular component includes anatomical barriers and signaling molecules i.e cytokines and complement proteins
the cellular component includes a range of WBC’s

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13
Q

Name anatomical barriers (non-cellular components) of the innate immune system

A
  • the skin
  • GI tract
  • respiratory system
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14
Q

List and explain the components of the GI tract that serve as anatomical barriers against infections

A
  • oral cavity - lysozymes in saliva break down bacteria cell walls
  • low pH of stomach
  • peristalsis - bacteria/viruses stuggle to adhere to GI lining and/or invade body cells that are flushed out
  • gut flora - prevent bad bacteria from out-colonizing the good bacteria
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15
Q

List and explain the components of the respiratory system that serve as anatomical barriers against infections

A
  • mucus in upper respiratory tract - contains lysozymes (antibacterial) & mucus can be expelled from bod or swallowed into stomach
  • mucocilliary escalator
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16
Q

the ____ is inside of the conducting airways and is made up of mucus and cilia, which moves the mucus up and out of the lungs where it can be expelled by coughing or swallowing

A

mucocilliary escalator

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17
Q

Name at least two commonalities between all white blood cells:

A
  1. they all have nuclei
  2. they are all produced in bone marrow
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18
Q

Name the WBC

an elevated amount of what kind of leukocyte could be an indication of an accute inflammatory response or an acute infection?

A

neutrophil

1st responders of infection, responsible for phagocytosis of bacteria

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19
Q

What are the major categories of lymphocytes?

A
  • B cells
  • T cells (helper, cytotoxic, & regulatory)
  • Natural killer (NK) cells
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20
Q

What type of lymphocytes are involved in the adaptive (specific) immune system? The innate immune system?

A

Specific - B & T cells
Innate - NK cells

21
Q

Name the lymphocyte

Control several types of tumors and microbial infections by limiting their spread and subsequent tissue damage. Known to staddle the lie of innate & adaptive immune system bc they respond to cells that have been “tagged by antibodies & destroy them; technically classified as part of innate immune system

A

natural killer (NK) cells

22
Q

Rank the type of leukocyte from most common to least common

A
  1. Neutrophils (50-70%)
  2. Lymphocytes (30%)
  3. Monocytes (5%)
  4. Eosinophils (3%)
  5. Basophils (1%)
23
Q

Main role is to travel to various tissues in the body and then differentiate into macrophages or dendritic cells

A

monocytes

24
Q

phagocytic cells that surrounds and kills microorganisms, removes dead cells, cellular debris, non-cellular foreign substances, etc. and stimulates the action of other immune system cells

garbage disposal cells of the immune system

A

macrophage

25
Q

A phagocytic immune cell that is found in tissues, such as the skin, and boosts immune responses by showing antigens on its surface to other cells (namely T-cells) of the immune system. They are a a type of antigen-presenting cell (APC)

tend to be found in body parts in contact with external environment

A

dendritic cells

26
Q

Fight substances related to parasitic infection that have been flagged for destruction by your immune system. Also help promote inflammation

A

eosinophils

27
Q

Defend your body from allergens, & pathogens. Highly involved with allergic responses, primarily the release of histamie and heparin (anticoagulant) as part of inflammatory responses

A

basophils

28
Q

play an important role in how the immune system responds to certain bacteria and parasites and they help control other types of immune responses. They contain chemicals such as histamine, heparin, cytokines, and growth factors.

they are similar to basophils, but are located specifically in mucous membranes and connective tissues

A

Mast cells

mast cells are phagocytic

29
Q

List all cells that are phagocytes

A
  • neutrophils
  • monocytes
  • macrophages
  • dendritic cells
  • mast cells
30
Q

made up of a large number of distinct plasma proteins that react with one another to opsonize pathogens and induce a series of inflammatory responses that help to fight infection

an *antibody-activated *protein cascade that promotes immune function.

A

complement system

31
Q

a process by which a pathogen is marked for phagocytosis by being coated with antibodies in order to increase their susceptibility to ingestion by phagocytes.

A

opsonization

32
Q

any of a number of substances, such as interferon, interleukin, and growth factors, which are secreted by certain cells of the immune system and have an effect on other cells. Primarily involved with immune response and inflammation

A

cytokines

33
Q

What happens to the blood vessels during inflammation, and why?

A

Vasodilation; this results in increased blood flow, and in tandem with increased permeability results in plasma being able to migrate from the blood into the affected tissue

this allows a large # of immune cells to quickly address the situation

also responsible for redness & swelling

34
Q

Name the acronym useful for remembering the signs of acute inflammation:

A

Swelling
Loss of function
Increased heat
Pain
Redness

SLIPR

35
Q

Respond to MHC class II by secreting specialized cytokines that recruit other immune cells to mount a reaction

A

CD4+ helper T cells

to remember: the type of T cell corresponds to the MHC class # that multiplies to 8. Therefore CD4 goes with MHC II (4 x 2 = 8)

36
Q

Recognize & destroy cells that present abnormal MHC class I proteins

A

Cytotoxic CD8 T cells

37
Q

when T cells fail to appropriately respond to MHC class I and II proteins, and are thus eliminated

A

positive selection

the purpose of negative and positive selection is to ensre tht the T cells in the body will reliably respond against only invaders and unhealthy cells

38
Q

when over-reactive T-cells (particularly against self-cells) are eliminated

A

negative selection

the purpose of negative and positive selection is to ensre tht the T cells in the body will reliably respond against only invaders and unhealthy cells

39
Q

T-cell immunity can also be called….

A

Cell-mediated immunity

40
Q

B-cell immunity can also be called….

A

humoroal immunity

41
Q

production of the elements of blood (RBCs, WBC, and platelets)

takes place in bone marrow

A

hematopoiesis

hematopoietic stem cells divide either into lymphoid myeloid stem cells

lymphoid stem cells further differentiate into lymphocytes (B, T, and NK cells), while myeloid stem cells differentiate into all other tyoes of blood cells, including other WBCs, RBCs, and megakaryocytes (cells from which platelets are derived)

42
Q

the white pulp of this organ contributes to the immune system. It is rich in lymphocytes, namely B and T cells. It is the site for B-cell activation to further differentiate into plasma cells for antibody production. It controls the level of WBCs, RBCs and platelets

A

spleen

43
Q

what cells are responsible for blood clots?

A

Platelets

44
Q

the lymphatic system is a part of what two physiological systems?

A

Circulatory and immune systems

45
Q

tiny vessels found in the tissues of most organs in your body. They transport and filter lymphatic fluid (lymph) from your body’s cells and tissues via lymph vessels. They help to keep consistent blood pressure and volume and prevent fluid buildup.

A

lymph capillaries

46
Q

A thin tube that carries lymph (lymphatic fluid) and white blood cells through the lymphatic system. Collect and filter lymph (at the nodes) as it continues to move toward larger vessels called collecting ducts.

A

Lymph vessels

47
Q

peripheral swelling (edema) caused by blocked lymphatic vessels

A

lymphedema

48
Q

Name at least 3 key anatomical structures in the lymphatic system

A
  • thymus
  • spleen
  • red bone marrow
49
Q

List and describe the functions of the lymphatic system

A
  • maintenance of fluid balance
  • transprt of materials from the interstitial space into the bloodstream
  • lipid transport from the digestive system into the bloodstream
  • production and maturation of lymphocytes

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