Immunology_ Innate Immune Response Flashcards
What is danger?
Anything that damages us or our bodies is an immunological danger.
What is considered immunological danger to our bodies?
Viruses e.g rhinovirus
Bacteria e.g S. typhimurium
Parasites e.g Falciparum
In what forms are we exposed to potential danger all the time?
External epithelia e.g. wounds, insect bite, skin surface scrapped
Mucosal surface e.g. airways, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive tract
Examples:
Campylobacter jejuni- cause for diarrhoea
Schistosoma mansoni- water born parasite, found in sub Saharan Africa
Why do we not get sick more often than we do even though we are exposed to potential danger to our bodies all the time?
Even though we get attacked by viruses all the time, we don’t sick all the time because of our defence system.
What are the things that protect us even before our immune response is activated?
Mucus- keeps moving things along
Ciliated cells- also help with the flow of
Defensis- molecules body secrets that defend us
These barrier defences are very effective because even the body’s immune system doesn’t sometimes know that you are attacked.
What are the key components of the lymphatic system?
Lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes and lymph.
What are lymph nodes?
A point in a network at which lines or pathways intersect or branch. Lymph nodes connect the bloodstream and the lymphatic system.
What is lymph?
A colourless fluid containing white blood cells that drains through the lymphatic system into the bloodstream.
Give examples of specialised lymph organs.
Thymus- T cells are made here
Spleen- filters blood
Which two types of cell are present in blood?
Red blood cells- carries oxygen
White blood cells- immune cells
Give some facts about red blood cells.
1 microlitres= 5/6 million of cells
Around 2 million new red cells are made every second
Their lifespan is around 100 days
Transport oxygen
What are phagocytes?
Phagocytes are a group of cells that can phagocytosis (engulf danger)
Give examples of immune cells.
Involved in innate response:
Neutrophils
Macrophages
Dendritic cells
Mast cells
Basophils
Involved in adaptive response
T cells
B cells
When does innate response kick off?
The moment pattern recognition receptor is triggered and body senses danger.
How long does it take for innate response to be activated and how effective is it?
Innate response is activated in hours or even in minutes. This response is fast and strong.
What is complement?
Complement is a cascade of proteins in serum that contributes to the immune response. It is activated by antibodies and it amplifies the inflammatory response. It sometimes kills the pathogens directly but mostly it attracts immune cells.
What are neutrophils?
Neutrophils are active phagocytic cells which consume and kill pathogens. They are recruited by inflammation into tissues. They are short lived and the most abundant of white blood cells.
What are macrophages?
Macrophages are active phagocytic cells which consume and kill cells. They develop in tissues from precursors and are activated by inflammation. They are long lived.
What are dendritic cells?
Dendritic cells are active phagocytic cells, which develop in tissues from precursors. Instead of just engulfing and killing possible danger signals, dendritic cells migrate from peripheral tissue into lymph nodes to interact with T cells and activate adaptive immune response.
