Immunity Flashcards
What do phagocytes engulf?
Pathogens
What happens when a pathogen gets into the body?
It’s detected by a type of white blood cell called a phagocyte
What does the pathogen detect? (More specifically)
The molecules on the surface of the pathogen - antigens
What can phagocytes tell the difference between and why?
They can telll the difference between self (your own) and foreign antigens because human cells have antigens on their surface too
What do phagocytes engulf? (And do what to them)
Pathogens that are carrying foreign antigens and destroy them
What do white blood cells produce?
Antibodies
Some white blood cells produce antibodies that bind to what?
What are the ones that produce antibodies called?
B-cells (sometimes called B-lymphocytes)
What happens when the antibody binds to the antigen?
It brings about the death of the pathogen carrying it
What are T-cells (or T-lymphocytes) and what are they involved in?
A type of white blood cell that are involved in communication between phagocytes and B-cells
What happens when a phagocyte has engulfed a pathogen?
It signals to the T-cell that its found something. The T-cell then activates the B-cells to produce antibodies
What does vaccination give you?
Immunity
What happens if you get vaccinated against a pathogen?
You can’t get that disease (you’re immune)
What do vaccines contain?
Antigens from a pathogen in a form that cant harm you e.g attached to dead bacteria
Why does your body produce antibodies against the antigens?
So that if the same pathogen (carrying the same antigens) tries to invade again, the immune system can respond really quickly and you wont suffer from any symptoms
