Immunology Flashcards
what are the two major systems of immunity
Iinnate immunity
adaptive immunity
- is regarded as the first line of defence
- present at birth
- responds rapidly
- has no specificity
- has no memory
is an example of which immune system
innate immunity
what are the two barriers that comprises the innate immunity
physical
chemical
- Skin
- epithelial cell layer lining mucosal surfaces
- cilia in nasal passages and bronchi
are examples of what type of barrier
physical barrier
- Acidity in stomach – low Ph destroys bacteria/pathogen
- Alkaline secretions
- Lysozyme in tears– attacks outer membrane of bacteria
are examples of what type of barrier
chemical
Competition with commensal organisms (bacteria present already in the body) is considered as what type of barrier
biological barrier
why do the few pathogens that reach the large bowels struggle to cause an effect
they must compete with billions of harmless gut bacteria
cells of the innate immunity fall under the classification of what
leukocytes
where do monocytes circulate
blood and spleen
monocytes once recruited to tissue, what can they differentiate to
macrophage and dendritic cells
where do macrophages exist
in tissues
what do macrophages secrete to recruit other immune cells
chemokines, cytokines
where do macrophages go to to present antigens, once they have become and APC
local lymph node beds
neutrophils are present in the vasculature by what percentage
40 to 60%
where do neutrophils reside
mainly in the peripheral vasculature (veins and arteries)
how do NK cells identify infected host cells
MHC class 1
what is the function of NK cells
natural killer cells destroy infected host cells in order to stop the spread of an infection.
which condition often indicates the activity of eosinophils
parasitic infection, allergic reaction or cancer
what is the complement system
The complement system is a mechanism that complements other aspects of the immune response.
what is chemotaxis
Chemotaxis is the attraction and movement of macrophages to a chemical signal.
how does cell lysis occur
Lysis is the breaking down or destruction of the membrane of a cell. The proteins of the complement system puncture the membranes of foreign cells, destroying the integrity of the pathogen.

what does chemotaxis use to bring other immune cells
cytokines and chemokines
how does agglutination work
Agglutination uses antibodies to cluster and bind pathogens together.
By bringing as many pathogens together in the same area, the cells of the immune system can mount an attack and weaken the infection.

what is the function of interferons
The function of interferons is its ability to interfere with the inhibition of virus replication.














