Immunology Flashcards
what are the functions of the lymphatic system?
drainage of tissue
absorption and transport of fatty acids and fats
immunity
what are the differences between lymphatic vessels and blood vessels?
lymphatic vessels are blind ended
cells that form lymph vessels are more delicate
what are the 3 phases of immune defence
recognition of danger
production of specific weapons
transport of weapons to site of attack
where are blood cells produced?
bone marrow
thymus
these are primary lymphoid organs
what is haematopoiesis?
formation and activation of blood cells
what is the function of the thymus?
“education” of T cells
what is the function of secondary lymphoid organs?
sites of lymphocyte activation by antigens
what 2 areas is the spleen divided into?
red pulp and white pulp
what is the function of the spleen?
filtration of blood
what separates red and white pulp?
marginal zone
what is a high endothelial venule?
simple columnar cells line venules, they are slightly looser than normal venules, which allows fluid and lymphocytes to leak out of the blood vessels.
what two zones are lymph nodes separated into?
B and T zones
what effect can T cells have on B cells?
they can cause B cells to produce antibodies
what are peyers patches?
patches of smooth cells embedded in villi covered cells.
what does MALT stand for?
mucosal associated lymphoid tissue
what covers peyers patches?
M cells
what is the difference between the adaptive and innate immune system?
adaptive is very specific and displays immunological memory
why does the adaptive immune system display a much larger response to an antigen in repeated exposure?
presence of memory cells allow a much quicker and stronger response after primary exposure
what are the differences between active and passive immunity?
active immunity - conferred by a host response to a microbe or a microbial antigen
passive immunity - conferred by adoptive transfer of antibodies or T lymphocytes specific for the microbe
active immunity is the only one that generates immunological memory
why does passive immunity not generate immunological memory?
because your own B cells are not involved in generating an immune response.
where are B cells produced?
bone marrow
what is the antigen receptor for a B cell
surface immunoglobulin (sIg)
why is it more important to tolerize T cells than B cells?
B cells cannot make antibodies in response to most antigens without the help of T cells