Immunology Flashcards
What is the role of the immune system
Body’s ability to resist or eliminate pathogens
What is a pathogen
Any microorrganism that causes harm
What are the layers to the immune system
- External barriers
- Innate Immunity
- Aquired (adaptive) Immunity
Describe external barriers
Layers of Epithelial tissue
Skin
Mucus - Mucosal epithelial cells coat cell surfaces
Flushing actions - saliva, tears, urine, sweat, stomach
What is innate immunity
Always present
Non-specific to different types of pathogens
Fast and immediate
No memory, will produce same response again
What is aquired (adaptive) immunity
Highly specific
Distinguishes between different pathogens based on surface antigens
Slower acting
Immunological memory, cells remember for futrue
What are Phagocytes
Immune system cells that trackdown, engulf and destroy bacteria, pathogens, own damaged or dead cells
What types of phagocytes are there
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)
What are the stages of phagocytosis
Describe Eosinophils
Help against parasitic infection
Involved in allergy and asthma
Granules contain many enzymes
Describe mast cells
Has immediate and delayed repsones
Process:
Describe Basophils
Least common WBC
Large cytoplasmic graules with inflammatory mediators
No proven function, found in parasitic infection
Describe Cytokines
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
Explain the cooperation within the immune system
What are the different types of acquired (adaptive) immunity
Cellular - involves phagocytes, cytotoxic T cells, cytokines, chemokines
Humoral - anti-body mediated, helper T cells and B cells