Immune System (5/16) Flashcards
Functions of the immune system
prevents foreign pathogens from entering the body- through barriers, enzymes, immune cells
destroy any pathogens that manage to slip through (or damaged/infected host cells)
Antibodies
produced by b cells
constant region, variable and hypervariable regions (with antigen binding site, undergoes changes to be specific)
Epitope
site on the antigen that is recognized by the antibody
Leukocytes
produced in bone marrow and nucleated
Types of leukocytes
neutrophils lymphocytes monocytes esinophils basophils
Neutrophils
60%
track down foreign pathogens like bacteria
consume and destroy through phagocytosis, classified as phagocytes
Lymphocytes
30%
T cells
B cells (produce antibodies)
NK cells- destroy infected host cells
Monocytes
5%
largest by size
can become macrophages and dendritic cells
Eosinophils
target parasitic infections
Basophils
inflammatory cells, release histamine as part of allergic response
Granulocytes
immune cells that contain granules rick in proteolytic enzymes
neutrophils, eosinophils (acid loving), and basophils (base loving)
Hematopoiesis
production of red and white blood cells in bone marrow
Spleen
white pulp- rich in lymphocytes
important in b cell activation
Thymus
T cell mature
Lymphatic system
system of vessels that helps transport fluids and immune cells throughout the body
