Innate and Adaptive immunity Flashcards
What is innate immunity?
The body’s first, non-specific defense against pathogens.
What is adaptive immunity?
A specific, slower immune response with memory.
What cells are involved in innate immunity?
Macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer (NK) cells.
What cells are involved in adaptive immunity?
B cells and T cells.
What is the primary function of macrophages?
Phagocytose pathogens and activate the immune response.
What do neutrophils do?
Attack and kill bacteria, especially during early infection.
What are natural killer (NK) cells?
Cells that kill infected or cancerous cells.
What is the major difference between innate and adaptive immunity?
Innate is non-specific and fast, while adaptive is specific and slower but has memory.
What is the first line of defense in innate immunity?
Physical barriers like skin and mucous membranes.
What is the second line of defense in innate immunity?
Inflammatory response, fever, and immune cells like macrophages.
How does adaptive immunity work?
B and T cells recognize specific antigens and respond accordingly.
What are antigens?
Molecules on pathogens that trigger an immune response.
What are B cells responsible for in adaptive immunity?
Producing antibodies to neutralize pathogens.
What are T cells responsible for in adaptive immunity?
Cytotoxic T cells kill infected cells; Helper T cells activate other immune cells.
What is immunological memory?
The immune system’s ability to remember previous infections for faster responses.
How do vaccines take advantage of adaptive immunity?
They stimulate the production of memory cells without causing disease.
What is the complement system?
A group of proteins that aid in immune response by killing pathogens and promoting inflammation.
How does inflammation contribute to the immune response?
Increases blood flow, bringing immune cells to the infection site.
What is the role of cytokines in immunity?
Signaling molecules that help immune cells communicate.
What is a primary immune response?
The first response to an infection, which is slow and builds immunity.
What is a secondary immune response?
A faster, stronger response upon re-exposure to the same pathogen.
What are memory cells?
Long-lived B and T cells that remember a previous infection and react faster if encountered again.
What is humoral immunity?
Immunity involving B cells and antibodies in the blood and lymph.
What is cell-mediated immunity?
Immunity involving T cells that destroy infected cells directly.
What is the role of helper T cells?
Activate B cells, cytotoxic T cells, and other immune cells.
What is the role of cytotoxic T cells?
Destroy infected cells and cancer cells.
What is the difference between active and passive immunity?
Active immunity is when the body produces its own immune response; passive immunity is when antibodies are received from an external source.
What is an example of passive immunity?
Antibodies passed from mother to infant through breast milk.
How does the body differentiate between self and non-self?
Using major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules to distinguish between the body’s cells and foreign invaders.
What are the benefits of adaptive immunity?
Specific targeting of pathogens, stronger response on second exposure, and memory.
