Immunity System Flashcards
What is the concept of “Biology as a software process” as mentioned by Ray Kurzweil?
Our bodies are made up of trillions of cells, each governed by a biological process, and we are essentially walking around with outdated software that evolved in a very different era.
What are the important focus points of the immune response discussed in the lecture?
The initial immune response is the same regardless of the invader, the first line of defense involves integumentary and respiratory systems, the primary immune response is likened to kindergarten while the secondary is likened to college, and treatments differ based on the type of exposure (e.g., snake bites vs. bacteria).
What are the innate external barriers mentioned in the immune response?
Innate external barriers include skin/exoskeleton, acidic environment, secretions, mucous membranes, hairs, and cilia.
What is the difference between the primary and secondary immune responses?
The primary immune response occurs upon first exposure to an antigen and is slower, while the secondary immune response occurs upon subsequent exposures and is faster and stronger.
What triggers inflammation in the body?
Inflammation is triggered by localized tissue damage, resulting in redness, swelling, heat, and pain, typically caused by damage to connective tissue or cell death.
What role do phagocytes play in the immune system?
Phagocytes are white blood cells that ingest particles, parts of cells, and entire cells, playing a crucial role in the second line of defense against infections.
What are the two types of immunity discussed in the lecture?
The two types of immunity are innate immunity, which acts immediately and is the same regardless of prior exposure, and adaptive immunity, which is slower but recognizes specific pathogens and has memory.
What is the function of helper T cells in the immune response?
Helper T cells recognize self-nonself complexes, activating themselves and subsequently activating cytotoxic T cells to attack infected cells and stimulating B cells to produce antibodies.
What is the significance of clonal selection in the immune response?
Clonal selection involves the activation of a small subset of lymphocytes with complementary receptors to an antigen, leading to the multiplication of effector cells that specialize in defending against that specific antigen.
How do allergic reactions occur in response to allergens?
How do allergic reactions occur in response to allergens?
