IMMUNE SYSTEM LECTURE Flashcards
Describe an innate or “non-specific” immune defense system?
an innate defense system is broadly effective and has no prior exposure to the pathogen
What are examples of pathogens that your innate immune defense system may be exposed to?
some examples of pathogens are toxins and living organisms
What are the first lines of defense regarding the immune system?
the skin and mucous membrane are the first line of immune defense
Describe why the skin is effective in deterring pathogens.
the skin is effective because it is difficult to penetrate, dry, nutrient poor, and coated with antimicrobial chemicals such as defensins and a thin layer of lactic acid
What makes the skin difficult for pathogens to penetrate?
the skin is difficult to penetrate due to its keratin (protein)
Describe why the mucous membrane is effective in deterring pathogens.
the mucous membrane is effective due to the stickiness of the mucous traps and the lysosomes it contains
Where can the defensive mucous membrane be located?
mucous membranes line all of the body cavities that open to the exterior of the
What are examples of body cavities that open to the exterior?
examples of body cavities that open to the exterior are the digestive, respiratory, urinary, and reproductive systems tracts
What is the function of the stickiness of the mucous membrane traps within the immune defense system?
the stickiness of the mucous membrane traps harmful organisms
What is the function of the lysosomes in the defensive mucous membranes?
the lysosomes are enzymes that are responsible for destroying bacteria cell walls
What is the function of internal immune defenses?
internal immune defenses are responsible for targeting organisms that penetrate the skin/ mucous membrane barrier
What is the second line of immune system defense?
the second line of the immune system defense is the internal defenses
What are phagocytes?
phagocytes are white blood cells
What are some examples of phagocytes?
some examples of phagocytes are neutrophils, macrophages, and monocytes
Define phagocytosis.
phagocytosis is when phagocytes must attach to a pathogen in order to consume it
What do phagocytes use in order to be able to attach to a pathogen?
phagocytes use cytoplasmic extension in order to attach to pathogens
Describe the function of a pathogens carbohydrate signature.
a pathogens carbohydrate signature allows white blood cells to detect and connect to the pathogen
Describe the function of external capsules.
external capsules allow some bacteria to conceal their carb signatures
Why is it significant that some pathogens use external capsules to cover their carb signatures?
pathogens using external capsules to cover their carb signatures because it prevents phagocytes from grabbing on to the pathogen; phagocyte is unable to destroy pathogen
Describe the function of opsonins.
opsosnins coat the external capsules and provide “handles” for phagocytes to bind to
What are opsonins?
opsonins are complement proteins/ antibodies
Define opsonization.
is the process of phagocytes using opsonins to bind to the external capsules of pathogens
Define respiratory burst?
respiratory burst is when…
What is the function of natural killer (nk) cells?
natural killer cells are responsible for attacking and killing cancer and virus infected cells, bacteria, or cell transplanted tissues
What happens when a natural killer cell recognizes an abnormal cell?
when a natural killer recognizes an abnormal cell it secretes proteins which bind to the pathogen
What is the function of the chemicals that natural killer cells secrete?
the chemicals that natural killer cells secrete increase the inflammatory response
What are the two types of immunity?
the two types of immunity are cellular immunity and humoral immunity
Humoral immunity is also known as what?
humoral immunity is also known as “antibody-mediated” immunity
Cellular immunity is also known as what?
cellular immunity is also known as “cell-mediated” immunity
Describe what happens in a cellular (cell-mediated) immune response.
in a cellular immune response lymphocytes either directly attack diseased/ “suspicious” cells or indirectly activate other lymphocyte or macrophages with a chemical response
Describe what happens in a humoral (antibody-mediated) immune response.
in a humoral immune response circulating antibodies in bodily fluids bind to bacteria/ toxins/ viruses and inactivate or “tag” them for destruction
What produces the antibodies within the humoral immune system?
antibodies within the humoral immune system are produces by lymphocytes
How are bacteria/ toxins/ viruses inactivated or “tagged” within the humoral (antibody-mediated) immune system?
lymphocytes in the bodily fluids inactivate or “tag” bacteria/ toxins/ viruses by using phagocytes and complement
Describe the anatomical structure of antigens.
antigens are large, complex molecules
What are three different types of antigens?
three different types of antigens are proteins, polysaccharides, and glycoproteins
Describe the relationship between antigens and an immune response.
antigens are not normally present in the body but are responsible for triggering an immune response
What are the two functional properties of complete antigens?
the two functional properties of complete antigens are immunogenicity and reactivity
Define immunogenicity in reference to complete antigens.
immunogenicity is the ability to cause specific lymphocytes to multiply
Define reactivity in reference to complete antigens.
reactivity is the ability to react with the activated lymphocytes and antibodies
What is another term for incomplete antigens?
incomplete antigens are also termed “haptens”
What is the result of incomplete antigens (haptens)?
the result of incomplete antigens is a hypersensitivity to antibodies
What are the characteristics of incomplete antigens (haptens)?
incomplete antigens are small molecules
True or False: incomplete antigens are immunogenic.
false; incomplete antigens are not immunogenic
Describe what happens if an incomplete antigen links with the body’s own proteins.
if an incomplete antigen links with the bodies own protein the adaptive immune system will attack it causing more harm than good
What are some examples of the immune response of an incomplete antigen?
some examples of reactions like this are reactions to penicillin, poison ivy, animal dander, some detergents, and some cosmetics
Define what antigen determinants are.
antigen determinants are binding sites for antibodies or lymphocytes on antigen surfaces that stimulate an immune response
What are “self-antigens”?
“self antigens” are surface glycoproteins that mark cells as “self” for the immune system
What is the purpose of “self-antigens”?
“self-antigens” prevent the immune system from attacking it’s own cells
What are the glycoproteins within that are used in “self-antigens” called?
“self-antigens” use glycoproteins called major histocompatibility complexes
Where do (t) lymphocytes originate from?
(t) cells originate from stem cells in the bones marrow
Where do (t) lymphocytes develop?
(t) lymphocytes develop in the thymus
What is the function of (t) cells?
(t) cells provide cellular immunity
Where do (b) lymphocytes originate from?
(b) cells originate from stem cells in the bone marrow
Where do (b) cells develop?
(b) lymphocytes develop in the bones marrow
What is the function of (b) cells?
(b) cells release antibodies that provide humoral immunity
What is the function of antigen-presenting cells (APCs)?
antigen-presenting cells are responsible for internalizing antigens and presenting them to antigenic determinants on their surfaces for (t) cell recognition
Why are antigen-presenting cells important?
without antigen-presenting cells, (t) cells could not recognize which pathogens to eliminate
Describe the function/ structure of dendritic cells.
dendritic cells are also responsible for catching antigens due to their long wispy extensions
What level of (t) lymphocytes do dendritic cells present antigenic determinants to?
dendritic cells present antigenic determinants to (t) cells while they are in the lymph node
True or False: when macrophages present antigenic determinants to naive (t) cells, both can be activated.
true; when macrophages present antigen determinants to naive (t) cells both are activated
What happens to macrophages that are activated while presenting antigen determinants to naive (t) cells?
macrophages that are activated while presenting antigen determinants can become “killer” macrophages
What level of (t) lymphocytes do (b) lymphocytes present antigen-determinants to?
(b) lymphocytes present antigen determinants to “helper” lymphocytes
What is the purpose of (b) cells presenting antigen determinants to (t) cells?
(b) cells present antigen determinants to (t) cells in order to initiate their own activation
How long does it take both (t) and (b) lymphocytes to mature?
it take 2-3 days for both (t) and (b) lymphocytes to mature
Where do both (t) and (b) lymphocytes originate?
both (t) and (b) lymphocytes originate in the red bone marrow