immunity

Question 1

what are MHC markers

Answer 1

MHC markers are proteins on the surface of cells which are unique to the individual organism. They are responsible for the presentation of antigens and also can identify the cell as ‘self’ if healthy and ‘non-self’ if infected by a pathogen

Question 2

what are MHC I markers

Answer 2

found on all nucleated cells which assist immune cells in identifying self from non-self

Question 3

MHC II markers

Answer 3

present only on antigen presenting cells and used by them to present antigens to other immune cells to initiate and communicate an immune response

Question 4

what are antigens?

Answer 4

molecules that elicit an immune response

Question 5

what are self antigens?

Answer 5

found on the surface of cells which make up the organism. The immune cell recognises any object with these antigens as ‘self’ and no immune response is initiated

Question 6

what are non self antigens?

Answer 6

found on the surface of cells foreign to the body. When immune cells recognise it as non-self, complex immune response is activated to destroy antigen and its source of production

Question 7

what is an allergic response?

Answer 7

result of an overreaction of the body’s immune system to a normally harmless substance

Question 8

what are allergens?

Answer 8

non-pathogenic antigens that trigger an allergic response

Question 9

why do pathogens differ from allergens?

Answer 9

pathogens elicit an immune response in all individuals whereas allergens only affect individuals who have a specific sensitivity to it