Immunology Flashcards
definition of antigen
a protein, polysaccharide or glycoprotein that is part of the cell surface membrane or cell membrane of invading cells
a self antigen…
does not stimulate an immune response
definition of a foreign antigen
stimulates an immune response as the tertiary structure of the antigen is different to that of the bodies self antigens
foreign antigens help the body to recognise…(5)
- foreign cells
- abnormal body cells
- toxins
- pathogens
- cells from other organisms of the same species
what is the innate immune response and what do they include? (give 2 examples)
they are non-specific mechanisms
- physical barrier i.e. skin
- phagocytosis
- tears (contain lysozymes which break down wall of bac.)
- goblet and cilia cells in the trachea
what does antigen variability mean?
- primary structure of the antigen changes causing the tertiary structure to change also
- specific cell receptors no longer complimentary to specific antigen.
phagocytes are a type of …..
leukocyte (white blood cells)
phagocytes arrive at site via _________ so can migrate to _______. Damaged _______ produces chemicals which make _____ vessels ______. This speeds up the arrival of __________.
- bloodstream
- tissues
- tissues
- blood
- widen
- leukocytes
how is a pathogen destroyed in phagocytosis?
engulfed and is hydrolysed by lysozymes from lysosomes (products absorbed)
when the pathogen is engulfed by the phagocyte what is the vesicle called?
a phagosome
where do T-Cells mature?
in the thymus gland
what type of response are T-Cells in?
cell mediated response
T cells secrete antibodies T or F
False THEY DO NOT
T cells will only respond to antigens on …….
antigen presenting cells
name the 4 types of T cells
- helper
- cytotoxic
- memory
- suppressor
what response is B Cells?
humoral
what is the definition of monoclonal antibody?
antibody produced from a single clone of B cells/plasma cells
T or F: plasma cells stimulate the production of B cells which produce antibodies
False: B cells stimulate the plasma cells to produce antibodies
In the humoral response, are there memory cells?
yes, memory B cells circulate the blood + hold the genetic code for a secondary response of the same antigen
what are antibodies?
proteins synthesised by plasma B Cells + have a specific tertiary structure complementary to 1 specific antigen (forms antibody antigen complexes)
how many polypeptide chains are in an antibody?
4
how many heavy (big chains) are in an antibody?
2
how many light (small chains) are in an antibody?
2
what is the variable region on an antibody?
- holds 2 antigen binding sites
- the shape is complementary to the specific antigen
which part of the antibody is different on every antibody and which part is the same on every one?
different = variable region same = constant region
what bonds hold the polypeptides together?
disulphide bridges