Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Principles 2018 > Immunology Part 1 > Flashcards

Immunology Part 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Give a general definition of the immune system?

A

A network of specialised cells, tissues and soluble factors that co-operate to kill and eliminate disease-causing pathogens and cancer cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the key features of the immune system?

A
  • Able to specifically identify and respond to ‘non-self’ or ‘abnormal self’
  • e.g. pathogens, cancer cells, infected cells and other ‘danger’ signals
  • Able to modify the response to deal with different types of pathogens in the most efficient way possible
  • Able to actively promote tissue repair & healing
  • Able to remember any pathogens it encounters (Immunological Memory)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Where do viruses replicate?

A

Inside cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Where are most bacteria located?

A

Most are extracellular some are intracellular

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What issue does parasite infection cause?

A

They are huge, too big for macrophages to eat.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What happens to the immune system when a pathogen is cleared from the body?

A

It switches from a pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory state.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the role of the anti-inflammatory state?

A
  • avoids excessive damage to healthy tissues/cells
  • promotes tissue repait and regeneration
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are some common immune over-reactions?

A

Autoimmune problems

  • type 1 diabetes
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • psoriases
  • multiple sclerosis
  • lupus
  • IBD

Allergic Reaction

  • Hay fever
  • eczema
  • asthma
  • sinusitis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is a common immune under-reaction?

A

Cancer

  • hepatitis
  • HIV
  • shingles
  • TB

infection

  • viruses
  • bacteria
  • fungi
  • parasites
    *
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the causes of emergence of new diseases?

A

Global village

Population growth

Changes in human behaviour

Changes in dynamics of other infections

Loss of natural habitat

Interactions of pathogens with humans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the first line of defence against infection?

A

Physical barriers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Describe the physical barrier (skin)?

A

Tightly packed, highly keratinised, multilayered cells

Constantly undergo renewal and replacement

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the important physiological features of skin?

A

low pH 5.5

low oxygen tension

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the role of sebaceous glands?

A

Secrete hydrophobic oils

Lysozyme

Ammonia

Antimicrobial peptides

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Where is mucus present as a barrier to infection?

A

Mucous membrane lines all body cavities that come into contact with the environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the role of mucous?

A

Traps invading pathogens

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is present in mucous to enhance its defence properties?

A
  • sectetory IgA prevents bacteria and viruses attatching to and penetrating epithelial cells
  • contains enzymes: lysozyme, defensins and antimicrobial peptides directly kill invading pathogens. Lactoferrin acts to starve invading bacteria of iron.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the role of cilia in mucosal defence?

A

Trap pathogens and contribute to removal of mucous, assisted by sneezing and coughing.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Describe the role of commensal bacteria?

A

100 trillion at epithelial surfaces

>500 species

Symbiotic relationship with the host

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Describe the functions of commensal bacteria

A
  • production of bactericidins which influence other bacteria
  • synthesis of vitamin K, B12
  • reduction in pH of large bowel
  • Competition for essential nutrients
  • production of anti-microbial short chain fatty acids
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What can affect the function of commensals?

A

Malnutrition

Intercurrent infection

Age

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What happens after the erradication of commensals?

A

Organisms rapidly colonise an undefended niche

  • oral candidiasis after oral antibiotics
  • vaginal candidiases after oreal antibiotics
  • C.Diff after IV antibiotics
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What kind of medical interventions breach constitutive barriers?

A

Insertion of ‘hardware’

  • IV lines, catheters, NG tubes

Antibiotcs

Anti-acid medication

Nasal decongestants

Anti-bacterial wipes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is humoural immunity mediated by?

A

soluble macro-molecules (lipids, proteins) found in extracellular secretions and fluids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What are the two major components of the immune system?
Cells and soluble factors
26
Name the cells involved in the immune system
* phagocytes * neutrophils * monocytes and macrophages * dendritic cells * Lymphocytes * T cells * B cells * NK cells * Mast cells, eosinophils, basophils
27
Name the soluble (humoral) factors involved in the immune system
Antibodies Complement system proteins Cytokines Acute phase proteins
28
What are cytokines?
Diverse collection of small proteins and peptides, produced in respons to infection, inflammation and tissue damage
29
What is the role of cytokines/
Modulate behaviour of cells and coordinate immune system
30
Describe the characteristics of cytokines?
* Many cytokines have multiple functions * Different cytokines may have overlapping functions• * Short half-life * Can act locally and/or systemically
31
Name four cytokines and state their function
Interferons: anti-viral activity Tumour necrosis factor a: a pro-inflammatory cytokine Chemokines: control and direct cell migration Interleukins: various functions
32
What is paracrine siganlling?
Occurs between local cells where the signals elicit quick responses and last only a short period of time
33
What is endocrine signalling?
Occurs between distant cells and is mediated by hormones and cytokines from specific cells that tracel to target cells, producing a slower, long-lasting response
34
What is autocrine signalling?
Produces by signalling cells that can also bind to the ligand that is released, which means the signalling cell and the target cell can be the same or similar
35
What are anitbodies?
Proteins that are produced in response to an antigen and bind specifically to the antigen
36
What produces antibodies?
Antigen-activated B cells
37
What is an antigen?
Any substance that can stimulate an immune response
38
What do antibodies defend against?
Extracellular pathogens, viruses and toxins
39
What is different about the binding of antigens and antibodies?
Antibodies can bind to only one epitope Antigens can contain many binding sited for different antibodies
40
Where are mature B and T cells found?
Circulating in blood, lymph and secondary lymphoid tissue
41
When to mature B cells and T cells become active?
When they encoutner a pathogen/antigen
42
What are B cells responsible for?
Production and secretion of antibodies to defend against extracellular pathogens
43
What are T cells responsible for?
Key role in defence against intracellular pathogens (viruses, mycobacteria)
44
What are helper T cells?
Key regulators of the immune system
45
What are cytotoxic T cells?
Kill virally infected body cells
46
What is the structure of NK cells?
Large granular lymphocytes
47
What is the role of NK cells?
Can detect and kill tumour cells and virally infected cells Kill antibody-bound cells/pathogens Release lytic granules that kill
48
Where are mast cells found?
Reside in tissues and protect mucosal sufaces
49
Where are basophils and eosinphils found? How are they recruited?
Circulate in the blood Recruited to sites of infection by inflammatory signals
50
How common are basophils and eosinophils?
Low number in non-allergic, healthy people
51
What happens when mast cells, basophils and eosinophils are activated?
Release chemicals such as * histamine * heparin * pro-inflammatory cytokines
52
What is the release of chemicals such as histamine, heparin and pro-inflammatory cytokines important for?
Defence against antibody-coated pathogens e.g. parasitic worms Role in mediating allergic response
53
Where are complement proteins produced?
In the liver
54
What do complement proteins circulate as?
Inactive precursor proteins
55
When do complement proteins become activated? and what happens?
When they enter infected/inflamed tissues they ezymatically cleace and acticate other downstream complement proteins as a cascade
56
What are complement proteins important in ?
Promoting inflammation and defense against certain bacterial species
57
What is the role of phagocytes?
* ingest and kill bacteria and fungi * ingest and clear debris * dead and dying apoptotic cells * immune complexes (antigen/antibody complex) * sources of cytokines which regulate inflammatory response
58
Where are phagocytes particularly important?
In the exposed sites * skin * epithelial tissues- gut, respiratory tract fast acting, first line of defence against invading pathogens * defence against bacteria and dungi
59
Where are monocytes found?
Circulating in the blood Migrate into peripheral tissues and differentiate into macrohpages
60
What are macrophages?
Long-lived tissue resident phagocytes * kupfer cells (liver) * alveolar macrophages (lung) * mesangial cells (kidney) * microglial cells (nervous system)
61
What are some of the macrophages roles?
Reduce inflammation Involved in tissue repair and wound healing Involved in antigen presentation
62
What are neutrophils also known as?
Polymorphonuclear cells or PMNs
63
Where are neutrophils found?
In the blood Rapidly recruited into inflamed, damaged, and infected tissues
64
What are the characteristics of neutrophil production?
Produced at a huge rate (50-70% circulating cells) 6hr half life
65
66
Where are dendritic cells found?
Present at peripheral tissues in immature state
67
What is the main function of dendritic cells?
Phagocytose antigens and present antigens on their surface to T cells
68
What is this cell?
Macrophage
69
What is this cell?
Neutrophil
70
Identify this cell?
Dendritic cell
71
Identify this cell
Monocyte
72
Identify this cell?
Basophil

Principles 2018 (34 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions