Immune System Flashcards
What are the granulocytes of the leukocytes?
neutrophils
eosinophils
basophils
What do neutrophils look like under the microscope?
they don't take up stain (neutral) lobulated nuclei (polymorphonuclear)
What are characteristics of neutrophils during infection?
phagocytic
they increase in number during infection
What do eosinophils look like under a microscope?
red
What are characteristics of eosinophils? (what do they defend against and how)
defend against parasitic worms
engulf pollen and animal dander
granules contain toxins that attack parasites
What do basophils look like under a microscope?
blue
What are characteristics of basophils during infection? (what kind of reactions do they contribute to?)
NON-phagocytic
contribute to allergic reactions because their granules contain histamine
What are the leukocytes that are agranulocytes?
monocytes and lymphocytes
What do monocytes look like under a microscope?
single, non-lobulated nucleus
What are characteristics of monocytes during infection?
phagocytic
migrate to tissues and become macrophages
What types of cells are lymphocytes?
B cells and T cells
What is the first line of defense in the body? (broad term)
innate (nonspecific) immune defenses
What are nonspecific defenses of the body?
physical barriers inflammation interferons natural killer cells complement system
What is the first thing that happens when there is damage to tissue?
chemicals are released that first cause vasodilation in the infected area (increased blood flow)
Is there an increase or decrease in protein permeability of the capillaries during an inflammatory response?
increased protein permeability
resulting diffusion of protein and filtration of fluid into interstitial fluid
What is chemotaxis?
the movement of leukocytes from the venues into the interstitial fluid of infected area
Neutrophils exist in the bloodstream and can either be circulating or _________.
marginating (rolling along the walls of the vessels)
When marginating neutrophils detect non-self outside the vessel wall, they move into the interstitial space via ________.
diapadesis
FUN FACT: a patient that takes steroids, their WBCs will ______. (causing an apparent increase in WBC count)
demarginate
What is opsonization?
the use of opsonins to attach through a thickened cell wall or mucous covering on a bacterium
“slippery bacteria”
What are mediators of the immune response that “live” in the area of inflammation, NOT in the blood stream?
mast cells
What is the central component of the Complement System?
Membrane Attack Complex (MAC attack)
about 30 plasma proteins that come together on the surface of invading bacteria
What does the MAC attack result in?
cell membrane rupture—lysis of bacteria—death of organism
What is the complement cascade activated by? (Which type of immune response)
specific OR innate immune responses
What chemical released by phagocytes helps regulate the inflammatory process by “keeping the troops coming via blood supply”? (think vasodilation)
nitrous oxide
What chemical released by phagocytes activates clotting and anti-clotting pathways that helps to “wall off” the infection?
cytokines
Proliferation occurs during the final stage of the inflammation process–tissue repair. Proliferation of what?
- new cells come in while damaged cells are recycled
- angiogenesis for new vascular supply
- fibroblasts multiply and release collagen to create “scaffolding”
What type of innate immunity is released by an infected cell to attach to other “self” cells and cause them to start creating antivirals.
interferons
(now cells that have the interferon attached are making antivirals…..virus can get in but no replication will occur) DEAD END
What is the main constituent of specific/acquired/adaptive immunity?
lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are activated by “non-self” cells where?
Lymph nodes or spleen
(they are constantly flowing from nodes, to spleen, to bloodstream, back to nodes to “run into” something “non-self” that will activate them
Lymphatic channels return a large amount of fluid to the bloodstream via the ________.
thoracic duct