immunity Flashcards
what are antigens?
Molecules that can trigger an immune response. They are mainly proteins and are usually found on the surface of cells.
What is an implication of organ donation?
The donor would have different antigens to your antigens and so it can trigger an immune response which could lead to you rejecting the transplant.
what is a pathogen?
a disease causing microorganism.
outline the process of phagocytosis.
- phagocyte identifies the foreign antigen on pathogen
- the pathogen engulfs and ingests the antigen into the phagocytic vacuole
- lysosome fuses with the phagocytic vacuole
- lysosome releases lysozymes which hydrolyse pathogen
- phagocyte then presents the foreign antigen on its surface.
what are monoclonal antibodies?
- antibodies produced from a single group of plasma cells
- they’re specific to one antigen because their binding site has a unique tertiary structure
- that only an antigen with a complementary shape can fit into
what is an antibody?
proteins that bind to antigens to kill pathogens.
why do antibodies have 2 binding sites?
so 2 pathogens can bind and then be clumped together for agglutination
what makes a antibody specific?
the variable region
outline the cell mediated response
- phagocytosis present antigens on their surface
- receptors on T-helper cells fit exactly onto the antigens
- T-cells are activated to divide rapidly by mitosis and form clones of its self
- Cloned Tcells can;
1. form memory cells
2. stimulate phagocytosis
3. stimulate Bcells to divide and secrete their antibody
4. activate cytotoxic Tcells
what does the protein perofin do?
makes holes in the membrane so its more permeable
outline the humoural response
- Specific complimentary Bcells bind to the foreign antigen
- antigen enters the Bcell by endocytosis and gets presented on its surface
- T-helper cells bind to antigens and stimulate that same Bcell to divide by mitosis and make clones.
- clonal selection can make;
1. plasma cells - clones of Bcells
2. make monoclonal antibodies
3. agglutination - so phagocytosis of a lot of pathogens can occur at once
4. memory cells which can lead to a faster production of Bcells to be made the next time that pathogen invades
what do plasma cells do?
secrete antibodies into the blood plasma
- they are responsible for the immediate defence
- primary immune system
what do memory cells allow to happen?
a faster secondary immune response
what happens if the same pathogen enters again?
- a stronger, more faster immune response
- The memory Bcells can divide into plasma cells to produce the correct antibody
what is active immunity?
where the individual has memory cells and is able to make their own antibodies which provides long term immunity.