Immune system II

Question 1

What are pathogens?

Answer 1

Pathogens are outside invaders. These include germs like bacteria, parasite viruses, and fungi, and toxins (chemicals made by microbes/microorganisms).

Each pathogen is made up of several subparts, usually unique to that specific pathogen and the disease it causes.

The subpart of a pathogen that causes the formation of antibodies is called an antigen.

Question 2

What are microbes?

Answer 2

Microbes are organisms that are too small to be seen without using a microscope, so they include things like bacteria, archaea (no nucleus or any other organelles), and
single cell eukaryotes (cells that have a nucleus).

Sometimes we call viruses microbes too (but they are not living).

Some microbes make us sick; others are important for our health.

Question 3

Antigens

Answer 3

on the surface of the invader. Act as a “label” that the immune system
uses to recognize what is foreign.

Question 4

Chemotaxis

Answer 4

Chemotaxis (from chemo + taxis) is the movement of an organism or entity in response to a chemical.

In other words, the migration of cells toward attractant chemicals or away from repellents.

Question 5

How does the immune system work?

Answer 5

1) When the body senses foreign substances, the immune system works to recognize and get rid of them.

2) B lymphocytes are triggered to make antibodies (also called immunoglobulins).

3)These proteins lock onto specific antigens on the surface of pathogens.

4) After they’re made, antibodies usually stay in our bodies in case we have to fight the same germ again.

That’s why someone who gets sick with a disease, like chickenpox, usually won’t get sick from it again.

Question 6

Antibodies

Answer 6

Antibodies are proteins produced by B cells following the detection of a
substance recognized as foreign (antigen).

Although antibodies can recognize an antigen and lock onto it, they can’t destroy the pathogen
without help.

Antibodies can also neutralize toxins (poisonous or damaging substances) produced by different
organisms.

Question 7

What is the role of a T cell

Answer 7

They destroy pathogens tagged by antibodies or cells that are infected or somehow changed. (Some
T cells are called “killer T cells.”)

T cells also help signal other cells (like phagocytes) to do their jobs.

Question 8

Vaccines

Answer 8

Immune memory is the basis behind vaccines

An immunization introduces the body to an antigen.

It triggers the body to make antibodies that will protect the person from future attack
by the germ.

Immunocompromised individuals (e.g., the elderly, newborns, etc.) are vulnerable and may be unable to build up a strong enough immune response on their own (without a
vaccine).

Vaccines safely expose our immune system to antigens.

Question 9

How do vaccines work?

Answer 9

Vaccines prepare the body’s immune system by mimicking infection.

They trigger the body’s adaptive immune system without exposing us to the full-strength disease

They teach the body to recognize and attack the pathogens when a real
infection happens

Question 10

What are the two types of vaccines

Answer 10

Live attenuated and Inactive
The weaker and inactive nature of the vaccines ensures that the pathogens don’t develop into the
full-blown disease.

Question 11

1. Live attenuated vaccines

Answer 11

Made of a weaker version of the pathogen

Difficult to make

Strong, so people with weaker immune systems cannot have them

Question 12

2. Inactive vaccines

Answer 12

The pathogens have been killed

Don’t create long-lasting immunity (booster shots)

Question 13

What are autoimmune diseases?

Answer 13

Autoimmune disease happens when the body’s natural defense system can’t tell the difference between your own cells and foreign cells, causing the body to mistakenly
attack normal cells.

There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases that affect a wide range of body
parts.

Autoimmune diseases can affect anyone, but women are at greater risk.

These diseases also share common symptoms: fatigue, dizziness, and low-grade fever.

Question 14

Which of the following is an autoimmune disease?

A. Type 1 diabetes

B. Rheumatoid arthritis

C. Psoriasis

D. All of the above

Answer 14

D

Question 15

If you have an autoimmune disease, what happens with the immune system?

A. Your immune cells die

B. Antibodies from your immune system mistakenly attack tissues in the body

C. Your immune system makes too many immune cells

D. None of the above

Answer 15

B

Question 16

Why are some autoimmune diseases difficult to diagnose?

A. Symptoms may be vague

B. No specific lab tests exist to confirm a diagnosis

C. Symptoms may come and go, making it hard to pinpoint the problem

D. All of the above

Answer 16

D

Question 16

Signs of an immune response

Answer 16

Coughing

Sneezing

Inflammation

Fever

Question 17

mRNA vaccines

Answer 17

Uses RNA (ribonucleic
acid) to instruct the body
to produce the antigens

RNA forms a template
to produce proteins

Question 18

What is the lympathic system

Answer 18

The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid
the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials and therefore is
necessary for maintaining your body’s defenses.

Your lymphatic system is part of your immune system and also helps protect you from infection.

It’s made up of a network of thin tubes called lymph vessels, which connect lots of glands throughout your body called lymph nodes.

Question 19

Function of the lymphatic system

Answer 19

The primary function of the system is to transport lymph (lymphatic fluid),
which contains antibodies and white blood cells, to tissues around
the body.

Question 20

T cells

Answer 20

(T cells develop and mature in the thymus but can
migrate to lymph nodes and the spleen where they are
stored and can continue to mature).

Question 21

What is the major function of the lymphatic system?

A) Defense against infection

B) Production of white blood cells

C) Transports nutrient to cells

D) Gas exchange between blood and cells

Answer 21

A