Inflammation Flashcards
What are anatomical barriers?
Include physical, chemical, and biological defenses
How is the skin an anatomical barrier?
Impermeable to most infectious agents, also sheds skin cells to remove bacteria and other infectious agents that have adhered to the surface
How does the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts an anatomical barrier?
- Have movement like peristalsis or cilia, which help remove infectious agents.
- Mucus in these tracts can also trap infectious agents
- Gut flora, the bacteria in our intestins, can prevent the colonization of pathogenic bacteria by secreting toxic substances or competing for nutrients
How are tears and saliva anatomical barriers?
Prevent infections on eyes and mouth by flushing away pathogens
What is innate immunity?
Activation of immune cells, release of inflammatory mediators, and recruitment of leukocytes
What is inflammation
a complex process that involves the activation of various immune cells and the release of inflammatory mediators
When does innate immunity occur?
when the body detects infection or tissue damage, innate immune cells use pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to detect pathogens or host-derived damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs)
What triggers an immune response?
Transcription factors and the production of inflammatory genes
What are inflammatory mediators and some examples?
released to recruit and activate leukocytes, which are crucial for eliminating foreign particle and damaged tissue EX cytokines and chemokines
What is the simple definition of inflammation?
the natural response of the body to injury or infection
Five cardinal signs of inflammation
pain, heat, rednesss, and swelling, and loss of function
What is the purpose of inflammation
to eliminate the cause of cell injury, clear out damaged cells and tissues, and initiate tissue repair
What are treatments for inflammation?
Treatments can decrease pain and swelling, prevent chronic inflammation, and maintain mobility and strength in adjacent areas
How long does acute inflammation last?
response to harmful stimuli and lasts for a few days
What is involved with acute inflammation?
Involves increased movement of plasma and immune cells from the blood into the injured tissues
Is acute inflammation good?
Beneficial in the short term, as it helps the body heal and protect itself
How long does chronic inflammation last?
lasts for months or even years and is associated with various diseases
What causes chronic inflammation?
caused by factors such as poor nutrition, exposure to pesticides, chronic stress, and lack of sleep
Can prolonged inflammation be harmful?
Yes and is associated with chronic diseases like arthritis and heart disease
What is the vascular phase in inflammation?
- Blood vessels near the injury dilate and blood flow to the area increases
- leads to redness and warmth
- Permeability of the blood vessels also increases, causing fluid to leak into the interstitial space and resulting in swelling
What is the cellular phase of inflammation?
- Immune cells called neutrophils migrate to the site of injury and release inflammatory mediators
- Mediators attract other immune cells and help remove pathogens and cell debris
What are the response pathways?
Molecules to fight off infection and promote tissue repair by activating signaling pathways
What does an infection or tissue injury
signaling pathways to initiate the inflammatory response
What can chronic inflammation lead to?
Tissue damage and development of various diseases
What are white blood cells also known as
Also known as leukocytes
Where are white blood cells produced?
In bone marrow from hematopoietic stem cells
How are white blood cells different red blood cells and platlets?
white blood cells have nuclei
What does a high white blood cell count
- Sign of inflammation and the immune system is actively fighting off the infection
- Can also be a sign of certain blood cancers and bone marrow disorders
What are the three types of white blood cells?
Granulocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes
What are the three types of Granulocytes?
Neutrophils, Eosinophils, and Basophils
Neutrophils
most common type of white blood cell and are responsible for fighting bacterial infections
Eosinophils
Involved in allergic reactions and parasitic infections
Basophils
release chemicals that help initiate the inflammatory response
Types of Lymphocytes
T cells and B cells
T cells
help coordinate the immune response and can direct attack infected cells
B cells
produce antibodies that can recognize and neutralize specific pathogens
What can natural killer cells do?
Can kill infected cells without needing prior exposure to the pathogen
What are the types of Monocytes
Macrophages and Dendritic cells
Macrophages
are phagocytic cells that engulf and destroy pathogens
Dendritic cells
responsible for presenting antigens to other immune cells, helping to initiate an immune response
What’s the difference between innate and adaptive immunity?
Innate is nonspecific (fast resposne within 0-4 hours)
Adaptive is specific (slow response within 4-14 days)
