Immune system intro

Question 1

what is the immune system

Answer 1

mechanisms that have evolved to protect us from being overrun by microbial pathogens

Question 2

other roles of immune system

Answer 2

tumour surveillance
allergies
autoimmune diseases
tissue transplantation

Question 3

do immune ysstems only exist in humans?

Answer 3

no but complexity varies across kingdoms

Question 4

evidence that immune system is useful?

Answer 4

AIDS - reduced T/B cells leading to opportunisitic infections
severe combine immune deficiency - no T/B cells leading to death
vaccination

Question 5

what would immne system define as a potential threat?

Answer 5

something that is non self - o Microbial pathogens, animal and human tissues (transplant rejections)
can also mistake own tissues as being non self - autoimmune

Question 6

causes of ancient deaths vs modern deaths?

Answer 6

less infectious, more lifestyle

Question 7

describe how vaccinations work

Answer 7

immune system presented with pathogen in a form that can stimulate immune response but not cause severe diseases
parts could include
-attenuated (live but not virulent) or killed
-toxins of pathogen
-making recombinant molecule (similar to pathogen but doesnt come from pathogen)
requires high levels of participation

Question 8

describe smallpox vaccine

Answer 8

small pox and cow pox have part of a pathogen that is the same
wipe cows udder, get cow pox. immunological memory –> resistance to small pox