Immune System Flashcards
What is an antigen?
A toxin of foreign substance which induces an immune response in the body
What is an antibody?
Blood proteins produced in response to and counteracting an antigen
What is an innate immune system?
Something that is already present in the body
What is an adaptive immune system?
Something created in response to exposure
Where do we have normal flora in our body?
Moist areas of the skin (groin and between toes), respiratory tract (nose), urinary tract, and the digestive tract
What does too much flora lead to?
Infection
What is immunodeficiency?
Immune system is less active, resulting in recurring and life-threatening infections
What is autoimmunity?
Hyperactive immune system attacking normal tissue
What are some autoimmune disorders?
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, lupus
What is the lymphatic system?
Component of the immune system with a large network of vessels that carry lymph (similar to plasma) to the heart
How and where does lymph drain from the body back into circulation?
Not all of the fluid moves from the arteries to the veins, some stays in the tissue
Lymphatic system picks it up
Fluid goes into lymph nodes
What do lymph nodes do?
Filter lymph
Where do we have lymph nodes?
Neck, armpits, groin
What are lymphocytes?
Cells that are produced by the lymphatic system to aid the immune system
What types of lymphocytes are there?
Natural killer, T cells, and B cells
