Immunology Flashcards
How does skin act as a defence against foreign bodies?
It is a physical barrier and produced anti microbial fatty acids. It inhibits pathogen colonisation.
How do mucous and respiratory cilia protect against foreign bodies?
They move micro organisms out of the body
How does stomach acid correlate with the colonisation of foreign bodies?
The stomach is acidic. The lower the pH, the more adept the chemical defence is at inhibiting microbial growth
How many cardinal signs of inflammation is there?
5
What is Rubor
Redness. Caused by increased blood flow
What is tumor?
Swelling. Caused by exudation of fluid
What is calor?
Heat. Caused by increased blood flow, exudation of fluid, release of inflammatory mediators
What is dalor?
Pain. Caused by stretching of pain receptors and nerves by inflammatory exudates and chemical mediators
What is functio laesa?
loss of function. Caused by pain, disruption of tissue structure, fibroplasia and metaplasia
What is hereditary angiodema?
Inherited deficiency of C1 esterase inhibitor.
Leads to uncontrolled activation of complement cascade by classical pathway.
What are the symptoms from an angiodema attack?
Swelling of lips and cheeks
Potential airway problem
How do you manage angiodema?
Give C1 esterase inhibitor
What is the relationship between an antigen and antibody?
The antibody is a complementary molecule which fits onto the antigen. The antigen can be a protein, peptide or a complex molecule.
This occurs in specific immunity
How and where are antibodies produced?
Produced by B-cells in lymph nodes.
Differentiate between humoral and cell-mediated immunity?
Humoral immunity:
- antibody mediated
- Involves B calls
- primary defence is against bacterial infection
Cell/mediated immunity:
- cell mediated
- involves T cells
- defence against viral and fungal infections and intracellular organisms
Is the second encounter to an antigen faster compared to the primary response?
Yes. The secondary response is faster due to the long lasting memory cells and adaptive immune memory.
What is the purpose of immunisation?
Allow host to mount effective immune response if exposed to antigens in the future
What is Tetanus?
Infection cause by the bacteria Clostridium Tetani. Toxin causes uncontrolled muscle spasm.
What does a toxin do?
Neutralises the effect of virus/bacteria
What is major histocompatibility complex?
Involved in cell-cell interactions
Allows immune system to tell from self to non-self
Non self cells are treated as foreign and attacked
