Immune System Flashcards
what forms the immune system?
white blood cells
What pathogens can the immune system fight?
Viruses
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Worms
- Protozoans
Role of the immune system
Detect non-self (pathogens) + respond by removing non-self invaders
A pathogen?
Agent that causes disease, can be cellular or non-cellular
What can white blood cells have?
- non-specific generalized response
- specific targeted response
What does the lymphatic system contain?
Spleen
- Thymus
- Lymph nodes
- Bone marrow
- An open network of lymphatic vessels
what happens when it is a open Lymphatic System?
the vessels have an open ending and can collect excess fluid including pathogens
what happens when it is a closed Lymphatic System?
such as in the circulatory system it means arteries, capillaries and veins all join, and blood flows continuously through them in the circuit.
what is Lymph?
Tissue fluid and white blood cells (leukocytes)
Role of the lymphatic system?
- Return excess tissue fluid back to the circulatory system
2. Transport antigen presenting cells (type of WBC) to lymph nodes where specific immune response is triggered
What are lymph nodes?
Part of the lymphatic system where specific immune response takes place
Role of Lymph nodes?
- Contain lymphocytes (T+B Cells)
- Filter and trap pathogens and cancer cells
- A specific immune response can be triggered here
Which WBC have a non-specific immune response?
Natural Killer Cells
Basophils
Natural Killer Cells?
- Kills virus infected and tumour cells
Basophil (inflammation)
secretes histamines
Which WBC are phagocytes?
Neutrophil
Macrophage
Neutrophil?
- Engulfs foreign particles and microorganisms
Macrophage?
- Engulfs foreign particles and microorganisms and secretes component proteins
Which WBC are Involved in specific immune responses?
Eosinophils B cell T helper Cells Cytotoxic T cell Platelets (blood clotting)
Eosinophils
- Secretes enzymes that break down cell walls in pathogens
B cell
- Activated plasma cells produce antibodies
- Memory B cells provide immunity
T Helper Cells
- Secretes interleukin to stimulate
o B and T cells, to divide
o Action of macrophages and neutrophils
Cytotoxic T cell
- Produce chemical that cause death in foreign, infected and altered cells
- Memory TC cells provide immunity
Platelets
- Cellular fragments without a nucleus they assist blood clotting and wound repair to prevent entry of pathogen
why is essential to distinguish self from non self?
is vital for specific and non-specific immune responses in order to detect and respond to foreign material
What do foreign material have that recognize foreign immune cekks
their own self markers (antigens)