Immune system Flashcards
what are pathogens
organisms that cause illness or pathology in the body
what are the types of pathogens (6)
viruses
bacteria
fungi
small animal parasites
one cell (malaria)
small animal (worms, mites, ticks)
what are the routes of infection (3)
skin (wounds)
orifices (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, respiratory, intestinal)
genital region (STIs)
what is innate immunity
a non-specific immune mechanism already present in the body which doesn’t require activation involving epithelial tissue.
what are innate immune responses (6)
skin - must be intact
eyes - tears containing antiseptic
ears - wax containing antiseptic
stomach - acid
respiratory tract - mucous and Cilla
vagina - acidity
what are the 2 types of leukocytes and what do they do
basophils - inflammatory response
lymphocytes - phagocytosis
what is inflammation and what occurs (3)
a non-specific response.
histamines are released form basophils and mast cells.
histamines trigger vasodilation and increase the permeability of the capillaries.
what are the symptoms of inflammation (4)
hear and redness (vasodialation)
swelling (plasma release into tissue)
pain (stimulated nerve endings)
loss of function (tissue necrosis)
what is phagocytosis and what are the two most common phagocytes
when specialised white blood cells travel to the inflammation site and prepare to digest dead cells and foreign bacteria.
Neutrophils - patrol the blood stream
Monocytes (macrophages) - localised in organs
what happens during phagocytosis (5)
microbe us engulfed by phagocytes.
a phagosome is formed which is fused with the lysosome and releases digestive enzymes.
the residual body containing indigestible material is formed.
waste material is discharged.
what triggers allergic reactions
the release of histamine to a harmless substance
why do some people react differently to allergens
Immunoglobulin E can be very specific reacting to certain pollens and other allergens
what are examples of autoimmune diseases (4)
type 1 diabetes
multiple sclerosis
crohn’s disease
rheumatoid arthritis.
what is an attenuated virus
a dead/weakened form of the virus
why do we give attenuated virus to vaccinate against viral infection
the virus cannot replicate and cause disease since the genetic material has been destroyed.
However, since the antigens are intact the body can produce antibodies so in future exposure antibodies are rapidly produced and the individual doesn’t catch the disease
