Innate and adaptive immunity Flashcards
What is innate (non specific) immunity? What are the components of it?
Innate immunity refers to the immunity that we are born with. The resistance is not increased or improved with repeated infection like our adaptive immunity is.
Our innate immunity is conducted by phagocytes and natural killer cells.
The complement system is involved in the innate immunity response.
What is adaptive (specific) immunity? What are the components of it?
Adaptive immunity is the immunity that we develop as a result of repeated exposure to certain antigens. The resistance of our body to a particular antigen is improved with repeated infection.
Our adaptive immunity is conducted by lymphocytes, antigen presenting cells and monocytes.
What is autopoiesis?
Autopoiesis refers to the idea that our bodies are able to maintain and renew aspects of itself. (the dynamic process of self production)
What is adaption?
Adaption is the relation of the body to non self that allows it to exist in its environment. Innate immunity and inflammation work together to give adaptive immunity.
What two systems allow for a balance between the internal and external environments of the body? (maintain internal/external coherence)
The nervous system and the immune system.
What does the immune system respond to?
The immune system is able to respond to unusual shapes as well as common/recognizable shapes that appear in an unusual context.
What is an epitope?
An epitope, also known as antigenic determinant, is the part of an antigen that is recognized by the immune system, specifically by antibodies, B cells, or T cells.
What is the difference between biophysical and biochemical defense?
Biophysical defense occurs when
What are primary lymph organs?
Primary lymphatic organs are where lymphocytes are formed and mature. They provide an environment for stem cells to divide and mature into B- and T- cells. Not B and T cells are also called B and T lymphocytes.
There are two primary lymphatic organs: the red bone marrow and the thymus gland.
Both T-cell and B-cells are ‘born’ in the bone marrow and B cells also mature in the bone marrow.
T-cells however have to migrate to the thymus to mature. Hence T cells = “Thymus” derived cells
What are secondary lymph organs?
Secondary lymphoid tissues are arranged as a series of filters monitoring the contents of the extracellular fluids, i.e. lymph, tissue fluid and blood.
The lymphoid tissue filtering each of these fluids is arranged in different ways. Secondary lymphoid tissues are also where lymphocytes are activated.
These include:
lymph nodes - filters lymph fluid
spleen - filters blood located in left hypochondrium of abdo
mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) eg:
Peyer’s patches - clusters of lymphoid tissue in the ileum that protects the gut
tonsils - masses of lymphoid tissue at back of throat that protect the respo system
Where do most infections enter the body?
Infections generally enter via the epithelial surfaces of the nasopharynx, the gut, the lungs and the genitourinary tract. Hence these areas are where most of the biochemical and biophysical defenses of the body are found.
What develops from haemopoietic stem cells?
All of the blood cells including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. This occurs under the influence of cytokines and hormones in the bone marrow of long bones.
What are the two types of receptors involved in immune recognition?
Soluble receptors (antibodies produced by B lymphocytes) Cell surface receptors (on the surface of lymphocytes)
