Immunity Flashcards
when is a person immune to a disease?
when there is a reservoir of memory cells in their body
what are memory cells a type of?
lymphocyte
what do lymphocytes do when a person is infected with a pathogen?
make antibodies
what type of antibodies do lymphocytes make?
antibodies that are specific to the antigens for that pathogen
what happens when the pathogens are destroyed ?
some lymphocytes remain that can recognise that pathogen - these are memory cells.
what is the function of memory cells?
If a pathogen infects a person for the second time the memory cells are ready for a rapid response so antibodies are made faster and in a larger quantity - the pathogen is killed before it can make somebody ill.
what is another name for vaccination?
immunisation
what is a vaccination?
A vaccine contains antigens from the pathogen. This triggers an immune response and the production of memory cells
what do vaccines contain?
- live viruses or bacteria made harmless
- dead bacteria
- parts of a virus such as a protein coat which has the antigens on it
- modified toxins
when are harmless live viruses or bacteria used in vaccines?
for TB or rubella
when are dead bacteria used on vaccines?
for whooping cough
when are parts of a virus used in vaccines?
for flu and hepatitus
when are modified toxins used in vaccines?
for tetanus
how does penicillin kill bacteria?
stops them making their cell walls.