Immunology Flashcards
What is the Immune system?
Collection of cells, tissues, and molecules that medicate resistance to foreign elements. (Antigens)
What is an immune response?
a coordinated reaction of these cells and molecules to antigens.
What is immunology?
The study of the immune system, this includes its responses to microbial pathogens and damaged tissues and its role in disease.
What is an antigen?
An antibody generator
Molecules that induce an immune response when introduced into the body.
Define an epitope. What else is it known as?
This is also known as an antigenic determinant
Part of an antigen that is actually responsible for inducing an immune system response and binding to the products of the immune response.
Ex. lymphocyte receptors, antibodies
What is Self vs. Non-Self?
-The immune systems ability to differentiate between foreign elements from components of its own organism.
-Immune responses should be generated only when components of immune system come into contact with non self elements.
What happens when self vs non self fails?
Autoimmunity
What is the difference between innate immunity and adaptive immunity?
-Innate ( non-specific)
-physical barriers
-inflammation
-complement
-Adaptive (specific)
-humoral immunity
-cellular immunity
Name other differences between innate and adaptive immunity.
Innate :
-ALWAYS ACTIVE
-Macrophages , neutrophils, and NK cells
-Fast (minutes to hours)
-structures common to several pathogens
-Absent memory
Adaptive:
-Only when in contact with antigens
-T and B cells
-Slow (days to weeks)
-specific epitope, typically unique to pathogen
-present memory
What are the chemical and physical barriers?
-Upper response. Tract : trapping and removal of particulate in mucus.
-trachea/bronchi : mucus cilia-mediated clearance cough
-Cornea/conjunctiva : physical flushing lysozyme in lacrimal secretions
-Mammary glands : keratin plug, flushing, complement, lysozyme, lactoferrin, and lactoperoxidase
-reproductive tract : low pH
-GI tract : rapid changes in pH (lysozymes, biles acids, defensins, hydrolases, mucus, peristalsis
Skin : keratinized barrier, desquamation, desiccation, fatty acids ( low pH)
Urinary tract : unidirectional flushing
What does PAMPs stand for?
P athogen
A ssociated
M olecular
P atterns
What does DAMPs stand for?
D amaged
A ssociated
M olecular
P atterns
How is this activated?
When cells die (intracellular DAMPs) or when connective tissue is damaged (extracellular DAMPs).
