Immune System Flashcards
the immune system is the body’s way of defending itself against…
pathogens
pathogens are…
organisms capable of disease
immune system must recognize what 2 things
itself and foreign material
antigen
-anything foreign to body
-causes an immune system response
immune system functions (2)
-barrier to infectious agents
-identify and remove foreign substances
first line of defense is…
anatomical barrier
anatomical barrier
-barriers an infectious agent must cross to enter normally sterile areas of body
anatomical barrier examples
-skin
-conjunction of eye
-mucous membranes of digestive, respiratory, urinary, and reproductive systems (body openings)
coagulation
clotting system that is activated when a blood vessel is injured - blood clot formation
what does a clot do?
stops the bleeding and prevents microorganisms from entering bloodstream
can some microorganisms enter the body before a clot is formed?
yes
how does the immune system try to eliminate microorganisms?
-WBC go to site of infection
-Neutrophils eat invaders by phagocytosis
first responders
neutrophils
B cells produce…
antibodies against antigens
are specific antibodies produced?
yes to attack specific antigens
cytokines
chemical messenger proteins that act as communicators and bring more immune cells to infection
inflammatory responses (4)
-swelling
-redness
-pain
-heat
swelling is due to
increased blood vessel permeability (leaky)
redness is due to
increased blood flow to area
pain is due to
nerve/tissue damage
heat is due to
increase blood flow to area
a fever is
a systemic inflammatory response
purpose of inflammatory response (3)
-more cells to site
-barrier to prevent spread
-promote repair
