Immunity Flashcards
What are the main components of the second line of defense in the immune response?
Leukocytes (white blood cells), monocytes (which develop into macrophages), and neutrophils
Leukocytes perform phagocytosis or produce antibodies to combat invaders.
What is pus composed of?
Remaining fragments of protein and dead white blood cells
Pus is a result of the immune response to infection.
What are the methods used by the body in the second line of defense?
Engulfing invading microbes (phagocytosis) or producing antibodies
This includes the actions of specialized leukocytes.
What is the role of macrophages in the immune response?
Attach to microbes and use enzymes to destroy them
Macrophages develop from monocytes and are crucial for engulfing pathogens.
How do neutrophils respond to infection?
They move to infected tissue and engulf bacteria, releasing enzymes to break down the microbe
Neutrophils are attracted by chemical signals from damaged cells.
What is the primary function of the skin in the immune system?
Provides a protective barrier against bacteria and viruses
The skin is part of the first line of defense.
What is the chemical defense provided by the skin?
Acid secretions that inhibit the growth of microbes
This chemical barrier helps prevent infections.
What role does mucus play in the respiratory system’s defense?
Traps microbes and foreign particles
Cilia then sweep these particles away from the respiratory tract.
What does the first line of defense aim to achieve?
Prevent things from getting into the body
It includes physical and chemical barriers.
What are Helper T cells responsible for?
Identifying foreign invading substances
They play a crucial role in activating other immune cells.
What do B cells produce?
Antibodies
Antibodies are specific proteins that target foreign particles.
What is the function of Killer T cells?
Puncture cell membranes of infected cells, killing the cell
They are vital for attacking infected host cells.
What do Suppressor T cells do?
Turn off the immune response
This helps regulate and prevent overactivity of the immune system.
What is the role of Memory B cells?
Retain information about the shape of an antigen
This allows for a quicker response during future infections.
What activates complement proteins in the immune response?
The appearance of foreign organisms in the body
These proteins serve as messengers and assist in targeting invaders.
What is formed when antibodies attach to antigens?
Antibody-antigen complex
This complex prevents the foreign particle from functioning normally.
True or False: Antibodies can target multiple types of foreign particles.
False
Antibodies are specific and can only target the type of particle they are made for.
What do T cells do in the immune response?
Seek out intruders and signal an attack
They identify invaders by their antigens.
How do macrophages recognize harmful antigens?
They engulf invaders but do not destroy the foreign antigens
This allows Helper T cells to analyze the antigens.
What do lymphokines do in the immune response?
Cause B cells to divide and produce antibodies
They are chemical messengers released by Helper T cells.
