Immunity Flashcards
Facts about red blood cells…
Made in the bone marrow
Each live 120 days
No nucleus or mitochondria
Facts about white blood cells….
Less than 1% of the blood volume
Amount increases when there’s an infection
Enter the tissues by diapedesis
Moved by chemotaxis
NEVER LET MONKEYS EAT BANANAS
Neutrophils Lymphocytes Monocytes Eosinophils Basophils
What are neutrophils?
They are phagocytes
Active against bacteria
Active against some fungi
Respiratory burst
What are lymphocytes?
Classed as T or B cells
What are monocytes?
The largest white blood cell
When in tissues they become macrophages
Assist lymphocytes in action
What is an eosinophils?
Contain non-specific enzymes
Important in destroying worms
Reduce allergy severity
What are basophils?
Their cytoplasm contain large granules with histamine in them
What are platelets?
Play a role in blood clotting
What is haemostasis?
Very complex and strictly controlled process
- vascular spasm
- platelets plug
- coagulation
Steps of haemostasis…
1 - vascular spasm - vessel constricts to limit blood loss
2 - platelet plug - platelets arrive and stick to the exposed collagen fibres
3 - coagulation process - converts inactive proteins to active forms and forms blood clots
List 6 blood disorders
Anaemia Polycythemia Leukaemia Thrombocytopenia Sickle cells disease Haemophilia
How is specific immunity achieved?
Active - immune system has done the work
Passive - given to us
Natural - course of life
Induced - vaccination
What are antigens?
Molecules on the outside of the plasma membrane
Enable cells to be recognised
Each person has a unique pattern
List the different types of blood cells….
White - leukocyte
Red - erythrocytes
Platelets- thrombocytes
What are granulocytes?
Neutrophils
Eosinophils
Basophils
What are agranulocytes?
Lymphocytes
Monocytes
What are T & B lymphocytes?
B lymphocytes can make direct contact with the antigen
T lymphocytes have to had the antigen presented to it
What is antigen presentation?
The antigen is displayed on the surface of another cells plasma membrane
Any cell that has this function is called an antigen
List the different antibodies from the B cells… MADGE
Immunoglobulins- proteins that bind to antigens IgM - initial response to antigens IgA - present in all body secretions IgD - bound to B cells IgG - most abundant IgE - inflammatory response
What is non-specific immunity?
Also known as innate immunity First line of defence Takes several days Uses lymphocytes Consists of: - surface membrane barriers - chemical and immune cells
What are surface membranes barriers?
Intact skin creates a barrier to pathogens
Acidic pH of the skin inhibits bacterial growth
Intact mucous membrane forms a barrier to micro-organisms
Mucous traps micro-organisms
Cilia then transports the debris away from the lower respiratory tract
Goblet cells produce mucous to fight infection
What are cellular defences?
Tissues
Organs
Cells
Phagocytes surround and engulf pathogens
Neutropenia is a low level of neutrophils
What are natural killer cells (NK)?
Found in the blood and lymph
Act by releasing chemicals called perforins
An inflammatory response that prevents toxic agents
What is inflammation?
Occurs following physical trauma 4 signs: - redness - heat - swelling - pain
What is inflammatory soup?
Range of chemicals are released
Increase blood supply
Increase permeability
All of this allows leukocytes to go to the damaged tissue
List the different inflammatory chemicals…
Kinins - make chemotaxis and cause pain
Prostaglandins- trigger free radical production and cause pain
Platelet derived growth factor - stimulates fibroblasts activity and repairs damaged tissues
List the different chemical defences…
Interferons - anti viral, stimulate immune system
Complement - increase inflammatory response and pathogenic immune cells
Pathogenic cells - neutrophils
Lyses - breaking down
