immunology 1 Flashcards
what organs and tracts are involved in the innate immune system
- skin
- GI tract
- Respiratory tract
What are the mechanical defenses of the innate immune system
- normal urine flow
- tears
- saliva
- normal flora
what cells are part of the innate immune system
leukocytes:
- monocytes
- neutrophils
- mast cells
- eosinophils
- basophils
what is a neutrophil
granulocyte that first responds to an area of damage or inflammation
what is an eosinophil
granulocyte that are activated by IgE that are activated by tissues infected with parasites
what is a mast cell
cell that releases inflammatory mediators (eg histamine, heparin, or serotonin)
what are the main functions of the compliment system in the immune response
- lyse certain microorganisms and cells
- to stimulate the chemotaxis of phagocytic cells
- to coat (opsonize) foreign pathogens
- clear immune complexes
what are the two different pathways to stimulate the complement cascade?
- classic pathway- antibody binds to antigen
2. alternative pathway - C3b protein builds up and activates complement
what is the end result of the complement cascade
membrane attack complex
what is another way to word the 3 primary things the compliment system does
- opsonization of pathogens
- recruitment of inflammatory cells
- killing of pathogens
what are traits of the adaptive immune system that makes it different form the innate immune system
- specificity
- mewmory
- ability to amplify the immune response via cytokines
- evolves with each subsequent infections
what are the two major arms of the adaptive immune system
- humoral arm (antibodies)
2. cell mediated arm (t-lymphocytes)
what are T lymphocytes
specific for individual antigens
what are the 4 major subgroups of T cells
- T helper cells (CD4+)
- T cytotoxic cells (CD8+)
- T suppressor cells (CD8+)
- T memory cells (CD4+ or CD8+)
all CD4+ helper cells that are presented during immune response are bound with what protein
MHC II
