Immune System Flashcards
What is an antigen?
A cell surface protein that will allow the immune system to tell the difference between body cells and foreign invaders
What is a pathogen
A pathogen is an organism that can cause diseases such as bacteria virus and fungi and identified as foreign by the immune system
What are toxins
Toxins are poisons secreted by pathogens to cause illness and symptoms of the disease. Mainly produced by bacteria, immune response may destroy toxins
Explain phagocytosis
Phagocytosis, endocytosis of the pathogen with antigens on engulfed by the phagocyte to form a phagocytic vacuole and then lysosomes attach to give digestive enzymes to digest the bacteria. Once killed exocytosis of the remains and antigens of the pathogen are shown on its surface.
How is an immune response occured after the antigen has been presented
T helper cells will release a chemical to stimulate the b lymphocytes, these B cells will have specific shaped binding sites to complimentary antigens to form antibody-antigen complexes. Activated B cells will divide by mitosis to produce plasma cells that will secrete monoclonal antibodies complimentary to the one specific antigen shape forming antibody-antigen complexes agglutination may occur from the two binding sites of each antibody to different pathogens
What is active immunity and what are the two types?
Active immunity is when u create your own antibodies from stimulated by an antigen. Natural is from catching the pathogen on your own but artificial is when u are injected by like a vaccine to activate the immune system.
Hat is passive immunity and the two types?
Passive immunity is receiving the antibodies from external sources that isn’t produced by your own cells. Natural is when the baby receives the antibodies from the parent through the placenta and breast milk. Artificial is from a jab such as tetanus
What is herd immunity
Herd immunity is the protection of the whole population by decreasing the number of people that are eligible to getting the disease.
What do vaccines always contain
They will always contain antigens of the pathogen
What is a disadvantage of orally taking the vaccine?
It can be broken down by enzymes in the digestive system which and the vaccine may be too large to be absorbed into the blood so it won’t reach the lymphocytes.
Ethical issues of vaccines
Animal testing, human volunteering, side effects, who gets the first vaccines if there was a new epidemic
