Immunity Flashcards
(9 cards)
What system is responsible for fighting infection?
Immune system
What type of cell helps fight off infection?
White blood cells (leukocytes)
What two types of white blood cell help fight infection?
Phagocytes
Lymphocytes
What is a phagocyte?
A type of white blood cell that performs phagocytosis
What is phagocytosis?
The process by which a cell engulfs a particle and digests it
What is a lymphocyte?
A type of white blood cell that fight infection and disease
How do lymphocytes protect the body against pathogens?
Recognise antigens
Detect antigens are foreign
Produce antibodies that cause pathogens to stick together making it easier for phagocytes to engulf them
Produce antitoxins to neutralise toxins produced by pathogens
What is active immunity?
When a specific type of lymphocyte called a memory lymphocyte can ‘remember’ the antigens from an infection by a previous pathogen
Antibodies will be produced much faster
What is passive immunity?
When an offspring receives antibodies from it’s mother
