Immunology 2 Flashcards
What are granulocytes?
White blood cells who’s cytoplasms contain histologically prominent granules
These granules can be released from the cells via exocytosis: ‘degranulation’
What are the granulocytes of the immune system?
Basophils
Mast cells
Eosinophils
Neutrophils
What are phagocytes?
A group of leukocytes that engulf and ingest their targets via phagocytosis
What are the phagocytes of the immune system?
Neutrophils
Monocytes/macrophages
What are the cytotoxic cells of the immune system?
Eosinophils
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes
Natural killer cells
What are the antigen presenting cells of the immune system?
Monocytes/macrophages Lymphocytes Plasma cells Natural killer cells Dendritic cells
What type of immune cell is both a granulocyte and a phagocyte?
Neutrophils
These primarily phagocytose, but can degranulate in some situations
What immune cell is most abundant in the immune system?
Neutrophils
What is the difference between a monocyte and a macrophage?
Monocytes are macrophage precursors and exist in the blood
Macrophages are cellular
Monocytes mature into macrophages once they get into ya tissues
What is the ‘gold standard’ in drug clinical trial research?
Yeah fuck you all
What is the function/main features of Basophils and Mast cells?
Circulatory, granulocytes
Release chemicals (degranulation) that mediate inflammation and allergic response
These cells are rare and the least abundant (basophils are the least abundant WBC)
What is the function of eosinophils?
Type of granulocyte
Type of Cytotoxic cell
It’s main function is to destroy invaders - particularly those who are ‘opsonised’
What are the main functions of dendritic cells?
A type of APC, that is found in the skin and various organs
Also called Langerhans cells
Recognise pathogens and activate other immune cells through antigen presentation
Why is innate immunity ‘non-specific’?
The immune cells that make up the IIS are programmed to respond to a wide variety of material which they consider ‘foreign’
What type of white blood cell is central to the involvement of the adaptive immune system?
Antigen presenting cells
What are natural killer cells?
Type of lymphocyte
NKC’s form part of the innate immune response, and are able to recognise virus infected cells and some tumour cells
NKC’s are cytotoxic and kill cells by inducing apoptosis
Describe the process of phagocytosis, by a macrophage
Macrophage recognises non-self antigens on pathogens surface
Macrophage adheres to pathogen
It then engulfs it, forming a phagosome within the cytoplasm
Lysosome within the macrophage fuses with the phagosome forming a phagolysosome
‘Lysozymes’ destroy the pathogen forming a ‘residual body’ of indigestible waste
Residual body moves to membrane of macrophage - waste discharged via exocytosis
What are the primary and secondary lymphoid organs?
Primary lymphoid tissues are where immune cells form and mature:
- Thymus
- Bone marrow
Secondary lymphoid tissues are organs which have high concentrations of mature WBC’s just chilling:
- Spleen
- Lymph nodes
- Tonsils
- Lots of others but ^ are the main ones
Where are T-lymphocytes produced?
Bone marrow
Where do T-lymphocytes mature?
Thymus
Where do B-lymphocytes form and mature?
Bone marrow
What cell produces anti-bodies?
Plasma cells
What is the structure of antibodies?
2 Heavy chains 2 Light chains Linked by disulphide bridges Antigen binding sites Hinge region Fc region Fab region
Just draw it out or something
What are the 5 types of antibodies?
IgG IgA IgM IgE IgD
GAMED
What are the main features of IgG antibodies?
75% of anitbodies in adults
Produced in Secondary immune response
Some IgG’s activate compliment system
Maternally transferred to babies
What are IgA antibodies used for?
Externally secreted in tears n shit
Bind to external pathogens - opsonising them so they are quickly phagocytosed if they enter the internal environment
What are IgM antibodies used for?
Associated with primary immune response (dont need to know how)
On surface of B-lymphocytes
Strongly activates compliment system
Involved with blood group antigens
What are IgE antibodies used for?
Target parasites in the gut and are also involved with allergic responses
What are IgD antibodies used for?
On B lymphocytes surface alongside IgM - but noone knows what they do
What causes antibodies to be produced?
Activated B-lymphocytes will differentiate into plasma cells and proliferate
Plasma cells produce a fuck ton of antibodies
What are the different ways that antibodies can fight off infection of a pathogen?
1 - Antigen clumping and inactivation of bacterial toxins
2 - Opsonise pathogens for destruction by a phagocyte
3 - Trigger degranulation of granulocytes on the pathogen
4 - Activate the compliment system leading to membrane attack complex formation. MAC causes death of pathogen
What is the function of the spleen?
Secondary lymphoid organ
1 - Contains lots of APCs in red pulp, T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes in it’s ‘white pulp’. Promotes the development of humoral response.
2 - Filters blood of nasty shite
