innate Flashcards
what is immunity
ability to fight infection or neutralize a toxin
innate vs adaptive, which is nonspecific
innate
what are the classes of innate defenses
physical, chemical, mechanical, cellular defenses
describe the physical barriers
skin- tightly packed epithelial cells, protective keratin, shedding
mucus membranes- glycoproteins trap microbes, tears wash eyes, bacteriophages present in various mucus types
describe the mechanical barriers
out body keeping microbes out or finding a way to expel them
examples- vomiting, urine, diarrhea, mucus production
describe the chemical defenses
low pH- gastric juice destroys bacteria, earwax lowers pH, sebum forms protection barrier, vaginal excretions are low pH
lysozyme & lactoferrin- destroy cell walls
how is our microbiota the first line of defense
resident microbes compete with pathogens for binding sites, vaginal microbiota compete with yeast, and fecal transplants
what are the major features of the lymphatic system
lymph, lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, thymus, spleen, red bone marrow
what is lymph
clear fluid that transports microbes to the lymph nodes to be destroyed
what are lymph nodes
where microbes are destroyed by macrophages and lymphocytes
why does the lymphatic system lack normal microbiota
it would complicate the system because the LS is built to quickly remove and kill pathogens
what are antimicrobial peptides
-nonspecific
interfere with pathogens and are broad spectrum microbial mediators
what is the end goal of the complement system
to destroy microbes
what is complement activation
when a complement precursor becomes functional
what are the outcomes of complement activation
cytolysis, opsonization, inflammation