Immune System Flashcards
Phagocyte
Engulfs foreign cells by binding to the antigen, pulling it inside it and ingesting it.
Natural killer cells
- Police the body through blood and lymph.
- Can kill infected cells before the immune system is enlisted.
- Recognizes sugars on intruders surface.
Inflammatory response
Body’s second line of defense (after skin), is triggered when body tissues are injured.
What are the 4 signs of inflammation?
Redness
Heat
Swelling
Pain
What are the 2 immune body response types?
- Non specific - Barrier defense (skin, mucous membranes)
- Specific/immune system - attacks foreign substances. Lymphocytes and macrophages are the most important immune cells.
Chemotaxis
- Causes blood vessels to dilate and capillaries to become leaky.
- Activates pain receptors.
- Attracts Phagocytes.
Explain the inflammatory response
- Injured cells release histamine and kinins.
- Blood vessels become leaky
- Neutrophils begin engulfing damaged/dead tissue cells.
- Monocytes become macrophages with insatiable appetites.
- Clotting proteins leak in and begin closing off the damaged area.
Complement
- Non specific defense.
- Proteins bind to sugars on the antigens surface, lesions form and water rushes in, cause the cell to burst.
Interferon
- Virus infected cells defend non-infected cells by secreting interferons.
- Interferons bind to cell membrane receptors and hinder the virus’ ability to multiply.
Humoral Immunity
- Antibodies present in the body’s fluids.
- Can be active or passive.
Cell Mediated Immunity
- Lymphocytes themselves defend the body.
- Act against targets by releasing chemicals that enhance inflammatory response.
- Macrophages are needed to present antigens for the T cells.
Antigen
Any substance capable on entering our immune system and provoking a response.
T Cells
- Made in bone marrow, move to thymus for maturation.
- Defend the body by cell mediated immunity.
B Cells
-Made in bone marrow, produce antibodies and oversee humoral immunity.
Macrophages
- Antigen presenters.
- In the lymph organs and connective tissues.
- Engulf foreign particles and present them.
Antibodies
- 2 short chains and 2 heavy chains.
- Each chain has a variable and a constant.
- Secreted by activated B cells.
- Capable of binding to an antigen.
What are the 5 antibody classes?
M - Pentamers
A - Monomers and Dimers, found in mucous/secretions.
D - Basic Y shape antibodies (Monomers)
G - Basic Y shape, found in blood plasma and can fix complement.
E - Basic Y shape, involved in allergy issues.
What are the 4 major Antibody functions?
- Complement fixation - Binds to cellular targets, triggers lysis.
- Neutralization - Binds to specific sites on bacterial exotoxins.
- Agglutination - Clumping of foreign cells.
- Precipitation - Large complexes become insoluble.
What are the 3 types of T Cells?
- Killer T Cells- Insert a chemical (perforin) into the plasma of a foreign cell causing it to rupture.
- Helper T Cells- Recruit cells to fight invaders, push B cells to divide more rapidly.
- Suppressor T Cells- Release chemicals to suppress T and B cell activity (stopping immune response.)
What are 3 important aspects of the immune response?
- Antigen specific.
- Systemic.
- Has memory.
Lymphocytes
Made in red bone marrow, whether they turn into T or B cells depends on where they go to mature.
What’s the difference between active and passive humoral immunity?
Active - B cells detect antigens and produce antibodies against them.
Passive - Antibodies enter your body through the serum of an immune human or animal.
