Immunology Flashcards
3 ways in which we protect ourselves against disease?
- active and passive protection
- innate immunity
- adaptable immunity
Examples of first line of defence?
- skin
- stomach acidity
- normal flora
- epithelial cells
- blood and lymph proteins
- flushing of urinary tract
What are the second line of defence? (2 points)
- inflammation (localised)
- fever (systemic)
What are interferons?
Signalling proteins produced when you have a fever that strengthen your antiviral defences
What is the third line of defence?
The immune system
What are the two types of immune response?
- innate
- adaptive
Characteristics of innate immune system? (6 points)
- pre-formed
- non-specific
- immediate response
- humoral (fluid based components)
- cell mediated
- no memory
What are the characteristics of the adaptive immune system? (5 points)
- highly specific
- several days to become active
- humoral
- cell mediated
- memory (next response will be faster)
What are the humoral components of the innate immune system?
- complement
- neutrophils
What are the humoral components of the adaptive immune response?
- B-cells and antibodies
What are the main cells involved in the innate immune response?
- macrophages
- natural killer cells
What are the main cells involved in the adaptative immune response?
- T- helper cells
- cytotoxic T-cells
Where do the cells of the immune system come from?
Bone marrow stem cells
What are the two precursors that form the cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems?
- myeloid (innate)
- lymphoid (adaptive)
What are macrophages and neutrophils?
Phagocytes
What can macrophages also do?
Act as antigen preserving cells, which can trigger the adaptive immune response
What are PRR?
Patten recognition receptors
What are PAMP’s?
Pathogen associated molecular patterns
What do PRR do?
Recognise PAMP’s on pathogens
What do PAMP’s do?
Interact with the pathogen receptors (PPR) on phagocytes which stimulates phagocytosis
What do cytotoxic T cells do?
Kill cells, they do this by releasing perforin or granzyme which poke holes in the walls of cells (lyse)
How are antibodies produced?
- antigen reactive B-cell phagocytoses pathogen
- B-cell presents pathogen to MCH II receptor on a TH 2 (T helper) cell
- TH 2 cell produces cytokines which activates the B-cells which then form lots of plasma which are antibody producing factories
What is humoral immunity?
When antibodies/immunoglobulins are secreted into the circulation and mucous fluids where they bind to and ‘neutralise’ microbes and microbial toxins to stop them from getting further into the body where they can cause real damage
What are the 5 classes of antibodies?
- IgG
- IgA
- IgM
- IgE
- IgD
