Immunology and the Lymphatic System Flashcards
What is the function of the lymphatic system? (3)
Drains excess interstitial fluid from fluid spaces and returns it to the blood
Transports dietary lipids and lipid soluble vitamins that are absorbed by the GI tract
Carries out immune response, using highly specific responses directed against particular microbes or abnormal cells
What does the lymphatic system contain? (2)
Lymph (moving fluid)
Lymphatics (group of vessels)
What are the two main branches of the lymphatic system?
Right lymphatic duct
Thoracic duct
What is lymph? (4)
Clear, watery fluid
Results from fluid exiting circulation (3000 ml circulating daily)
Is similar to interstitial fluid, is isotonic to it. Usually contains more proteins
Most comes from the liver and small intestines
What are the lymphatic vessels? (3)
The originate as lymphatic capillaries
The lie side by side of the blood capillaries (Thinner, have more valves, have nodes)
Contines to merge to form major ducts
What area of the body does the right lymphatic duct cover?
The upper right quadrant of the body
What area of the body does the thoracic duct cover?
The rest of the body
What is the function of the lymphatic vessels?
Permits particulate matter that cannot be absorbed into the capillary to be removed from the interstitial space
How does the lymphatic fluid move? (2)
It moves uphill
It is usually attributed to muscular movement
What are lymph nodes?
They have several lymph vessels entering into this ‘filter’ and they have one vessel leaving
What is the function of lymph nodes? (2)
Defence (filtration and phagocytosis)
Hematopiesis (site of maturation of some cells)
What is the immune system?
It is a system that uses many mechanisms to ensure the integrity and survival of the internal environment
What are the two major catergories of the immune system?
Non-specific immunity
Specific immunity
In the immune system, what does non-specific (innate) immunity do?
The external physical and chemical barriers provided by the skin and mucous membranes
In the immune system, what does specific immunity do? (2)
Recognizes specific threatening agents
Slow to recognize targets and overcome the threat (especially first time exposure)
What are the four cells used in non-specific immunity?
Neutrophils
Monocytes
Macrophages
Natural killer (NK) cells
What are the two lymphocytic cells used in specific immunity?
T-cells
B-cells
In non-specific immunity, what does it mean to be species resistant?
Genetic characteristics to protect the body from certain pathogens
What are mechanical and chemical barriers in non-specific immunity? (2)
Skin & mucosa
Secretions
How does the skin and mucosa aid in non-specific immunity?
A continuous wall that separates the internal environment from the external environment
How do secretions aid in non-specific immunity?
Sebum, mucus and enzymes chemically inhibit the activity of pathogens
How does inflammation help in non-specific immunity?
It is an attempt to dispose of microbes, toxins or foreign material at the site of injury, to prevent their spread to other tissues and to prepare the site for tissue repair in an attempt to restore tissue homeostasis
How do neutrophils help with phagocytosis in non-specific immunity?
The granular leukocytes that are usually the first phaocytic cell to arrive due to the inflammatory response
How do macrophages help with phagocytosis in non-specific immunity?
Monocytes that have enlarged to become phagocytic cells (may be called by other names when found in specific tissues)
How do natural killer cells help with non-specific immunity?
They are a group of lymphocytes that kill different types of cancer cells and virus infected cells
How does interferon aid with non-specific immunity?
Proteins produced by cells after they become infected by a virus which inhibits further spread of the viral infection
What is the complement when talking non-specific immunity?
Plasma proteins that produce a cascade of chemical reactions that cause lysis of foreign cells
What is specific immunity?
It attacks specific agents that the body recognizes as not itself
How is specific immunity controlled?
By lymphocytes (a class of WBC)
Where are lymphocytes formed?
In the red bone marrow cells of the fetus from the hematopoietic stem cells
What is the function of B lymphocytes (B cells)?
Produced antibodies (antibody-mediated immunity)
What is the function of T lymphocytes (T cells)
Direct attack of pathogens (cell-mediated immunity)
What are the three lines of defence in the immune system?
First line of defence
Second line of defence
Third line of defence