immunity P1 Flashcards
what is an antigen? [2]
a foreign protein that stimulates an immune response
what are antibodies?
a protein produced by B/plasma cells in response to a non self substance.
what is a monoclonal antibody?
antibodies with the same tertiary structure
OR
antibodies produced from identical B-cells/plasma cells
describe phagocytosis
- the phagocyte recognises the foreign antigens on a pathogen
- phagocyte engulfs pathogen
- the pathogen is now contained in a phagosome in the cytoplasm of the phagocyte
- a lysosome fuses with the phagosome, and the lysozymes break down the bacterial cell wall.
- the phagocyte then presents the pathogens antigens in their own cell surface - APC and also components of the pathogen are absorbed in the cytoplasm of phagocyte.
describe how a phagocyte destroys a pathogen present in the blood [3]
engulfs it
forming a phagosome which fuses with lysosome
lysozyme digests it
describe the cell mediated response
- helper T-cells have receptors on their surface which bind to the complementary antigens on an antigen presenting cell.
- this activates the helper T-cell to divide by mitosis and make a large number of clones
- some remain as T-helper cells and activate B-cells
- some turn into memory cells
- some turn into cytotoxic (killer) T-cells, which release perforin which forms pores in the bacterial cell membrane, destroying it as they can no longer maintain their internal environment.
- they also stimulate more phagocytosis to occur
describe the humoral response
- when a B-cell encounters a pathogen with a complementary antigen, the surface antibody will bind to it.
- the B-cell engulfs the pathogen via endocytosis, and presents the pathogens antigens on its own surface membrane
- helper T -cells bind to the presented antigens and stimulate the B-cells to divide by mitosis to produce plasma cells.
- plasma cells secrete antibodies
- some of the B-cells form memory cells.
what do helper T-cells do?
release chemical signals that activate and stimulate phagocytes to digest more pathogens, cytotoxic T-cells, B-cells (to secrete antibodies) and memory cells.
what is clonal selection?
the activation of a B-cell by a specific antigen.
what is clonal expansion?
when the activated B-cells divided repeatedly by mitosis to produce plasma cells.
what do activated B-cells divide into, and what do these secrete?
plasma cells - monoclonal antibodies
describe how B cells would respond to a vaccination against a virus [3]
B cell antibody binds to viral antigen.
B cell divides by mitosis and forms clones.
Plasma cells produce monoclonal antibodies against the virus.
B/plasma cells develop memory cells.
describe the structure of antibodies
- made up of 4 polypeptide chains - 2 light chains and 2 heavy chains held together by disulphide bridges.
- has 2 antigen binding sites and one receptor binding sites
- has a variable region which it’s specificity depends on (different in all antibodies)
- has a constant region (same in all antibodies)
describe how having 2 antigen binding sites helps antibodies destroy pathogens
- with 2 antigen binding sites, it can clump together bacterial cells making it easier for phagocytes to engulf large quantities and faster.
this is called agglutination
describe how antibodies destroy pathogens other than agglutination
markers for phagocytes - they stimulate phagocytes to engulf bacterial cells that they are attached to via the receptor binding site
where are B -cells made and matured?
Bone marrow
where are T-cells made and matured?
made - bone marrow
matured - thymus gland
describe and explain the role of antibodies in stimulating phagocytosis
bind to antigen
which causes agglutination
or
are markers
which attracts phagocytes