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Year 1 Medicine > Immunology > Flashcards

Immunology Flashcards

1
Q

Give the definition of immunity?

A

Many different players working together to provide a powerful defence against invaders.

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2
Q

What is a pathogen?

A

Any organism that causes harm. e.g. virus, protozoa, bacteria, fungi.

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3
Q

Name some factors of the innate immune system?

A 
Non - specific
From birth
First response
Produces the same response every time
Quick
Mainly phagocytosis
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4
Q

Name some factors of the adaptive immune system?

A

Highly specific
Involves immunological memory
Production of antibodies
Uses B and T cells

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5
Q

What are the 2 physical barriers involved in the first line of defence.

A

The skin

Mucosal barrier - reproductory, respiratory and digestive tracts

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6
Q

What produces mucus?

A

Goblet cells in a continuous cycle.

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7
Q

What does mucus contain that helps to kill invading organisms?

A

antimicrobial enzymes such as growth inhibitors, enzyme inhibitors and lysins.

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8
Q

When is the innate immune system activated?

A

If the physical barrier has been breached by an invader.

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9
Q

What are the innate cellular and chemical barriers involved in immunity?

A

Skin
Mucosal epithelia
Antimicrobial chemicals

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10
Q

What are the adaptive cellular and chemical barrier components of the immune system?

A

Lymphocytes in epithelia

Secreted antibodies

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11
Q

What cells are predominantly involved in the innate system?

A

Phagocytes
Macrophages
Neutrophils
Natural Killer cells

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12
Q

What cells are predominantly involved in the adaptive system?

A

Lymphocytes

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13
Q

What is a macrophage’s main function?

A

Phagocytosis

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14
Q

Describe the process of phagocytosis?

A

1- microbe adheres to phagocyte
2- The phagocyte ingests the microbe.
3- A phagosome then forms
4- The phagosome fuses with a lysosome to form a phagolysosome. The lysosome releases its digestive enzymes.
5- Microbe is digested
6- The residual body forms containing the indigestible material
7- waste materials are discharged from phagocyte.

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15
Q

Where does phagocytosis take place?

A

Within macrophages and neutrophils

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16
Q

Name the major white blood cells involved in the immune system?

A 
Macrophages 
Eosinophils
Mast cells
Basophils
Natural killer cells
17
Q

Where are macrophages derived from?

A

Macrophages are mature monocytes that are derived from stem cells in the bone marrow. Monocytes enter blood and circulate there for 3 days before entering tissues and maturing into Macrophages.

18
Q

Where do T-cells reach maturation?

A

T-cells are sent to the Thymus to get checked before they are allowed to enter tissues and be part of the immune system.

19
Q

What are some of the roles of the chemicals macrophages release?

A

Some of the chemicals constrict blood vessels leading away from the injury site to cause a flow of blood to affect area - causes redness.

Other chemicals cause endothelial cells of capillaries to contract, leaving spaces in-between them so fluid can leak to then site. This allows other immune cells to leave blood and join the fight against the pathogen.

20
Q

How are neutrophils activated and what is their role?

A

Neutrophils are activated upon macrophage signalling as they are not present in tissues. Their main function is to carry out phagocytosis.

21
Q

What are the functions of Eosinophils?

A

Helps combat parasitic infection by releasing mediators from their granules that are toxic to the pathogen.

22
Q

What is the role of Mast Cells?

A

They contain a variety of chemicals within their granules, most commonly histamine. Upon encountering a parasite the mast cell dumps its contents on it to kill it.

23
Q

Where are natural killer cells found?

A

Nk cells are found in the blood and the spleen.

24
Q

How do Nk cells kill a pathogen?

A

They bore holes in the pathogen by releasing perforin. They then secrete enzymes which enter via the pores and cause the cell to commit suicide.

25
Q

What happens when Nk cells can’t manage the parasite?

A

Complement System is activated.

26
Q

What is the complement system?

A

Bridge between innate and adaptive systems.
It is composed of over 20 proteins that activate pathways that result in the lysis of the target cell and the opsonisation of pathogens.

27
Q

Describe the classical pathway?

A

Requires an antigen-antibody complex. Adaptive pathway.

28
Q

What tissues make up the innate immune system?

A

Skin
Gastric acid
Muco-ciliary escalator
Phagocytic cells

29
Q

What are the phagocytic cells of the innate immune system?

A

Polymorphs - neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils (acute short lived)
Macrophages (chronic long lived)
Fixed macrophages - (liver, spleen, lymph nodes) of the mononuclear phagocytic system

30
Q

What organ cleans the blood?

A

Spleen

31
Q

What is opsonisation?

A

The process by which a pathogen is marked for ingestion and eliminated by a phagocyte.

32
Q

What is acquired immunity?

A

Specific response to antigen concerned
Immunological memory created
Humoral (antibody) and cellular (T cells)
Each organism is a complex mixture of antigens
Each antigen is (usually) a mixture of epitopes

33
Q

What are immunoglobulins?

A 
Proteins with antibody activity - five classes
Primary response (IgM)
Secondary response (IgG) 
Mucosal immunity (IgA)
Allergy and helminth infection (IgE)
34
Q

Once activated what cells do B-lymphocytes signal on for help?

A

CD4 T cells.

35
Q

What triggers a complement cascade?

A

Combination of antibody (IgG or IgM only) and its specific antigen trigger the cascade of reactions

36
Q

What is the role of antibodies in infection?

A

Neutralises bacterial toxins (e.g. tetanus, diphtheria)
Neutralises viruses in viraemic stage
Prevents adherence of microorganisms
Opsonises capsulate organisms (Strep pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae)

37
Q

How are the by-products of the complement cascade useful?

A

They are chemotactic - attract polymorphs.

Year 1 Medicine (37 decks)

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