Immunity Flashcards
Explain the main differences between non-specific and specific defence.
Non-specific defence mechanisms are the body’s initial, generic responses to infections, like barriers (skin), fever, and inflammation.
Specific defence, on the other hand, involves the immune system’s targeted response to specific pathogens through antibodies and immune cells.
List the different types of white blood cell and explain the defence/immune function of each.
Different types of white blood cells include:
Neutrophils (phagocytosis),
Lymphocytes (T-cells and B-cells for adaptive immunity)
Monocytes (become macrophages)
Eosinophils (parasitic infections)
Basophils (allergic responses)
List the main roles of the lymphatic system in body defence
The lymphatic system aids in body defence by transporting immune cells, draining excess tissue fluid, and filtering out pathogens. It also plays a role in the immune response.
Give examples of non-specific defence mechanisms, including chemical defence, phagocytosis and the inflammatory response.
Chemical defence - skin acidity, stomach acid
Phagocytosis - engulfing pathogens by immune cells
Inflammatory response - redness, heat, swelling, and pain at the infection site
List the main features of immunity (specific defence)
Main features of immunity include specificity, memory, and the ability to distinguish self from non-self through antibodies and immune cells.
Explain how non-specific antigen presenting cells such as macrophages trigger an immune response.
Non-specific antigen presenting cells like macrophages engulf pathogens, digest them, and present their antigens on their surface, triggering an immune response.
Describe the production of T- and B-cells.
T-cells and B-cells are produced in the bone marrow. T-cells mature in the thymus, while B-cells mature in the bone marrow.
Explain the role of T-cells, including the clonal sub-groups (cytotoxic, helper, regulatory and memory) in immunity.
T-cells have various roles:
Cytotoxic T-cells kill infected cells
Helper T-cells assist other immune cells
Regulatory T-cells control immune responses
Memory T-cells remember past infections for faster responses.
Explain the role of B-cells and the different classes of antibody in immunity.
B-cells produce antibodies (immunoglobulins) in response to specific antigens.
With examples, differentiate between natural, artificial, passive and active immunity.
Natural immunity is acquired through exposure to a pathogen
Artificial immunity through vaccines
Passive immunity via transferred antibodies (e.g., from mother to baby)
Active immunity through the body’s own immune response (vaccination or infection).
Describe and compare the primary and secondary immune responses.
The primary immune response occurs upon initial exposure to a pathogen, taking time to develop.
The secondary response, after re-exposure, is quicker and more effective due to memory cells.
Giving examples, describe the main features of allergy and autoimmunity.
Allergy is an exaggerated immune response to harmless substances, leading to symptoms like sneezing.
Autoimmunity is when the immune system mistakenly targets the body’s own cells, as seen in diseases like lupus.
What are the main functions of white blood cells (leukocytes)?
Function: rapid defence against infection and other body threats
2 main categories : granulocytes & agranulocytes
What are the three types of lymphocytes?
–B-cells (specific)
–T-cells (specific)
–Natural killer cells (non-specific)
What is a complement?
Group of ~ 20 plasma proteins normally present in inactive form.
Complement proteins form holes in bacteria allowing fluid to pass into the bacteria causing it to burst.
