Immunology Flashcards
Define a pathogen
Disease causing agent
What makes a pathogen cellular?
Able to reproduce independently
Able to undertake independent metabolic processes
Made of cells
List the three types of cellular pathogens
Bacteria, fungi, parasites
How do bacteria reproduce?
Binary fission
How do bacteria cause disease?
Release toxins and reproduce rapidly by binary fission, increasing toxin concentration rapidly
How do fungi cause disease?
Release enzymes which break down proteins
What is an antigen?
An antigen is a unique molecule or part of a molecule that can initiate an immune response
Antigens that belong in the body are called…
Self-antigens
Antigens that initiate an immune response are called..
Non-self antigens
What is aseptic technique?
Using practices and procedures to prevent contamination from pathogens
Give examples of aseptic technique
Disinfectant of desk with ethanol
Minimal exposure to air (taping lid shut)
Partially opening lid
Seal petri dish
Safe disposal of used equipment in sterile packaging
Why does the lag phase on a bacterial growth curve occur?
Slow increase in number of bacteria due to low initial numbers of bacteria
Why does the exponential phase on a bacterial growth curve occur?
Rapid growth/doubling of population
Resources (eg space and nutrients) are NOT a limiting factor
Why does the plateau phase on a bacterial growth curve occur?
Limited resources (ie space and nutrients)
Death rates = birth rates
Why does the death phase on a bacterial growth curve occur?
↓ population numbers
Death rates > birth rates
Lack of resources eg food
Build up of toxins
Draw and label a bacterial growth curve
What makes a pathogen non-cellular?
Not made of cells
They require a host cell to reproduce
Unable to reproduce outside a cell
Unable to undertake independent metabolic processes
How do viruses cause disease?
Viruses cause disease by damaging or destroying host cells
Give two examples of a non-cellular pathogen
Virus and prions
Draw a virus
Outline the steps involved in viral replication
- Virus invades a host cell
- The host cell replicates viral genetic material in the nucleus
- New protein coats are made at the host cell ribosomes.
- New viral particles are assembled and burst out of the host cell
What is a prion?
Abnormal infectious protein
What is the first line of defence against pathogens?
Barriers
Is the first line of defence specific or non-specific?
Non-specific (it acts in the same way against all pathogens)
List the four types of physical barriers
Intact skin, mucus, hair, ear wax
How does intact skin prevent infection by pathogens?
Prevents pathogens from entering the body
How does mucus prevent infection by pathogens?
Mucus traps pathogens and then the cilia sweep the mucus and trapped pathogens out of the body
How does hair in your nostrils/ears prevent infection by pathogens?
Traps pathogens, preventing them from entering the body
How does ear wax prevent infection by pathogens?
Traps pathogens, preventing them from entering the body
What type of cells secrete mucus?
Goblet cells
What is a physical barrier?
Physical structures that prevent the pathogen from entering the body
What is a chemical barrier?
Some type of secreted chemical that helps prevent the entry of a pathogen
How does sweat prevent infection by pathogens?
Sweat contains fatty acids and salt which kill or stop the growth of bacteria
How do tears and saliva prevent infection by pathogens?
They secrete lysozymes which break bacterial cell walls, destroying them