Immunity Flashcards
Immune system
Recognition and Response
1) Recognise pathogens
2) Respond appropriately to intruders in a way that protects body
3) Respond next time intruders are encountered
Homeostasis and Immune System
Removes worn out cells
Identification of abnormal cells
Types of Body Defense Mechanisms
Physical barriers - first line of defence
Immune System
Body Defense Mechanisms
Physical Barrier
- Skin
- Mucous membranes (mouth, nose, etc.)
- Mucus & cilia of airways
- Acids, enzymes and cell shedding of digestive system.
Body Defense Mechanisms
Immune System
Second line of defense
Slower response
More effective
Can provide memory
Circulating cells that respond to pathogens
Inflammation
Fever
‘Acquired Immunity’
Types of Immunity
Innate Immunity
Passive Immunity
Adaptive (active immunity)
Hard Immunity / Indirect Protection
What is innate immunity?
- Born with, always present, non-selective response.
- Non-specific
- Includes external barrier, cough reflex, lysosome.
- Rapid and independent of antigen (non-specific).
- Relies on recognition of types of molecules common to many pathogens but absent in the host to stimulate inflammatory response and phagocytosis.
e. g. Formylated methioniene, used as initiation amino acid in prokaryotes, Extremely potent chemoattractant for neutrophils
What is Passive Immunity?
- ‘Borrowed’ from another individual
- Ready made
- Natural e.g. across placenta / breast milk
- Artificial e.g. short term immunisation, transfer of fully functioning antibodies, immediate protection, body does not develop memory.
What is Adaptive (Active) Immunity?
- Develops through our lives
- As we are exposed to disease (or immunised)
- Specific response via antibody production
What is Hard Immunity / Indirect Protection?
- Can only occur when a significant proportion of the population are immune / vaccinated.
- Arises due to a lack of susceptible hosts, causing disease to die down.
- Particularly important to provide immunity to vulnerable people who cannot otherwise be vaccinated.
e. g. children / immunocompromised.
What are antigens?
Antibody generating.
Molecules (often proteins, glycoproteins or polysaccharides) on the plasma membrane that produce immune response.
What are Antibodies? (Ab)
- Proteins secreted by immune cells in response to an antigen.
- Have a unique specific antigen-binding site.
- Leads to destruction of antigen-bearing cell.
How do Antibodies work?
Attach to antigens and ‘tag’ the pathogen.
Makes it more visible to other cells.
(Killer T and phagocytes) = neutralisation
Antibodies are highly specific.
Process of Antibodies
Agglutination: make pathogens clump together.
Antitoxins: Neutralise the toxins produced by bacteria.
Lysis: digests bacterial membrane
Opsorisation: coats pathogen in protein that identifies as foreign.
What produces antibodies?
B-lymphocytes