Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Foundations Of Medicine > Immunology > Flashcards

Immunology Flashcards

1
Q

What is the role of the immune system

A

Body’s ability to resist or eliminate pathogens

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a pathogen

A

Any microorrganism that causes harm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the layers to the immune system

A
  1. External barriers
  2. Innate Immunity
  3. Aquired (adaptive) Immunity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Describe external barriers

A

Layers of Epithelial tissue
Skin
Mucus - Mucosal epithelial cells coat cell surfaces
Flushing actions - saliva, tears, urine, sweat, stomach

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is innate immunity

A

Always present
Non-specific to different types of pathogens
Fast and immediate
No memory, will produce same response again

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is aquired (adaptive) immunity

A

Highly specific
Distinguishes between different pathogens based on surface antigens
Slower acting
Immunological memory, cells remember for futrue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are Phagocytes

A

Immune system cells that trackdown, engulf and destroy bacteria, pathogens, own damaged or dead cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What types of phagocytes are there

A

Neutrophils

Most abundant WBC
Has granules filled with destructive enzymes (peroxides, alkaline and acidic phosphates) that destroy bacteria

Monocytes(macrophages)

Engulf much more
Process specific Components of pathogen antigens, present processed antigens to adaptive immune cells
Antigen Presenting Cells (APC)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the stages of phagocytosis

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Describe Eosinophils

A

Help against parasitic infection
Involved in allergy and asthma
Granules contain many enzymes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Describe mast cells

A

Has immediate and delayed repsones
Process:

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Describe Basophils

A

Least common WBC
Large cytoplasmic graules with inflammatory mediators
No proven function, found in parasitic infection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Describe Cytokines

A

Small proteins released by immune/non immune cells from simulus
Communicate with other cells
Bind to specific receptors, produce internal signal
Involved in innate and acquired immune response - Differentiation, activation, chemotaxis, enhancing cytotoxicity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Explain the cooperation within the immune system

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the different types of acquired (adaptive) immunity

A

Cellular - involves phagocytes, cytotoxic T cells, cytokines, chemokines
Humoral - anti-body mediated, helper T cells and B cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the different Lymphatic organs

A

Primary - Bone amrrow, Thymus gland
Secondary - Lymph nodes, spleen, tonsil

17
Q

Explain primary Lymphoid organs

A

where blood cells are produced
Acquire ability to interact with antigens

18
Q

What is the role of bone marrow as a lymphoid organ

A

Formation of blood cells
Production of T cells and B cells
Maturation of B cells

19
Q

What is the role of the thymus gland as a lymphoid organ

A

Maturation of T cells
Medulla - immature T lymphocytes and marcrophages
Cortex - mature T lymphocytes

20
Q

Explain secondary lymphoid organs

A

Sites where antigens activate lymphatics
Development of adaptive immune response to antigens delivered by T and B cells

21
Q

What is the role of the Lymph nodes

A

Have access to antigens encountered in most tissue
Induce adaptive immune response to antigens carried by lymphocytes from tissues

22
Q

What is the role of the spleen in immune respones

A

Red pulp - blood filter, removes ageing/ damaged blood cells and particles (microorganisms, opsonized microbes)

White pulp - contains lymphocytes that initiate immune response to blood-bourne antigens

23
Q

Describe the development of Lymphocytes

24
Q

Describe the development and activation of T & B Cells

A

Naive T&B cells go to lymph node at same time as microbial antigens in Dendritic cells
Microbe antigens taken to spleen by blood
Antigens activate lymphocytes
Effector T cells and antibodies activated and delivered by blood

25
What are the different types of T lymphocytes
(CD8+) Cytotoxic T cells: CD8+ receptors TCR only recognises antigens when bound to MHC I Killing (CD4+) Helper T cells: CD4+ receptors TCR only recognises antigens when bound to MHC II Stimulate B Cells to produce antibody
26
What is the role of Cytotoxic T cells
1. Bind to infected cell 2. Perforin makes holes in infected cell membrane 3. Enzymes (granzymes) that promote apoptosis enter cell 4. Infected cell is destroyed
27
What is the role of Helper T cells
Activate/direct other immune cells
28
What is the purpose of MHC Class l
Found on virtually all nucleated cells Presents ‘virally induced’ peptides to CD8+ T cells and trigger cytotoxic response
29
What is the purpose of MHC Class ll
Found only on (APCs) (i.e. macrophages) Presents exogenously produced Ag to CD4+ T cells
30
Describe B cells
Produce Abs Produced and mature in bone marrow Express B Cell Receptor (BCR) On activation, differentiated into Plasma cells (responsible for Abs production), with help of T helper cells
31
Describe Antibodies
Proteins produced as immune response against antigens Different antigens induce production of different antibodies Antibodies can be divided into two regions
32
Describe the different regions of antibodies
Upper region - antigen binding region, specific part of the antibody that recognises and interacts with antigen. Lower region - Fc region, stability
32
What are the different classes of antibodies
IgM - first class to be produced IgA - protects mucosal surfaces, resistant to stomach acid IgE - defends against parasites, causes allergies IgD - unknown, in B cells it signal for cell to be activated IgG - main type of antibody binding to pathogens Protects body from infection.
33
What are the functions of antibodies
Neutralization: Prevention of attachment and entry Mostly IgA - Gastrointestinal tract, Respiratory tract Opsonization: Macrophages, enchances engulfing of pathogens Complement activation Classical pathway
34
Describe the activation of the complement system
Proteins found in the plasma, in inactive form Activated in cascade–like format Activation on surface of target cells Three pathways: alternative, classical, lectin Results in holes in infected cell membrane (MAC)
35
What is the function of the complement system
Direct lysis of target cells. Can increase blood flow chemo-attractants, recruit other immune cells to enhance immune response Other products facilitate and enhance phagocytosis (opsonization)
36
What is active immunity
1. Produced by host immune system 2. Weeks to develop 3. Memory cells produced 4. Protection is permanent
37
What is passive immunity
1. Transfer of Abs/cells from other individual 2. Immediate effect 3. No memory cells 4. Protection is temporary

Foundations Of Medicine (28 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions