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Immunology > Innate and adaptive immunity > Flashcards

Innate and adaptive immunity Flashcards

1
Q

Compare and contrast adaptive and innate immunity (speed, memory, specificity)

A 
Innate = immediate, no memory, not specific
Adaptive = slow, memory, specific
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2
Q

Innate, natural or non-specific immunity is the first line of defence. Give examples of mechanical innate immunity?

A

Body surfaces = skin and fur
Cilia in respiratory tract
Flushing liquids (tears, urine)
Mucus as a barrier

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3
Q

Give examples of physiologically innate immunity

A

pH changes and extremes

Pyrexia kills some infectious agents

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4
Q

Give examples of the 4 cellular innate defences

A

Macrophages
Polymorphs
Mast cells
NK cells

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5
Q

What do macrophages do? Which other cells are phagocytic?

A

Ingest/phagocytose microorganisms

Polymorphs

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6
Q

What do mast cells do?

A

Have receptors for IgE antibodies

Increase vascular permeability

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7
Q

What do NK cells do?

A

Kill tumour cells, virally infected cells or antibody coated cells

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8
Q

What are examples of molecular innate defences?

A 
Defensins 
Complement 
Acute phase proteins 
Interferons
Lysozymes
Myeloperoxidase system
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9
Q

What are defensins? Where are they particularly found?

A

Small proteins

Phagocytes and epithelial

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10
Q

What pathogens are defensins active against?

A

Bacteria, fungi, viruses
Bind to microbe membrane
Important in skin barrier to infections

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11
Q

What are lysozyme?

A

Family of enzymes that attack peptidoglycan cell walls of bacteria

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12
Q

Where are lysozymes found?

A

Cells - e.g. macropahges
Secreted in tears, saliva and mucus
Sebum from sebaceous glands

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13
Q

Where is sebum secreted from? What does sebum do?

A

Sebaceous glands
Waxy fatty acids hydrate and lubricate skin
Stop bacterial attachment

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14
Q

What is myeloperoxidase? Which cells is it found in?

A

Enzyme found in lysosomes (organelle containing lysozyme and others)
Granulocytes and macrophages

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15
Q

What does myeloperoxidase do?

A

Kill bacteria and pathogens by producing toxic substances

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16
Q

What is the complement system?

A

Series of proteins that protect against microorganisms

17
Q

What does the complement system do?

A

Opsonization
Lysis of bacteria
Recruitment of other cells to infection site

18
Q

What are interferons?

A

Cytokines that fight viral infections and tumours

19
Q

Interferons are produced early on in viral infections. Where are IFN alpha, beta and gamma produced?

A

Alpha and beta IFN = produced by virally infected cells

Gamma = produced by activated lymphocytes

20
Q

What are acute phase proteins? How might they work?

A

Proteins that levels fluctuate in response to tissue injury

May bind to organism and aid removal of phagocyte

21
Q

Are acute phase protein specific or non-specific? Give some examples

A

Non-specific

C3, C4, fibrinogen, ferritin

22
Q

What is opsonisation? Why is this useful?

A

Coating of an infectious agent with host protein

Makes more likely to attach to phagocytes and be removed

23
Q

Commensal bacteria are part of the innate immune system. Where are they found? What do they do?

A 
Mucosal surfaces - GI, respiratory tract and skin 
Prevent attachment (and invasion/infection) of pathogenic bacteria
24
Q

What is an adverse effect of antibiotics?

A

Kill commensal bacteria

Allow pathogenic bacteria to cause injury/infection

25
Q

Which 2 cells make up adaptive immunity?

A

T and B lymphocytes/cells

26
Q

What are the cardinal features of adaptive immunity?

A

Specific
Can discriminate between self and non-self
Memory
Second exposure causes faster, larger response

27
Q

What is an antigen?

A

A molecule that binds to an antibody or antigen receptor

28
Q

What are immunogens?

A

Antigens that themselves induce antibody production

29
Q

What is an epitope?

A

Site on an antigen recognised by an Ab or Ag receptor

Short peptides

30
Q

What do epitopes bind to?

A

MHC molecule

Recognised by a particular T-cell (if B-cell recognises= B-cell epitope)

31
Q

What is an antibody? (known collectively as immunoglobulins)

A

Protein that binds to its antigen

Unique! Each structure has a constant region and variable region

32
Q

How does an adaptive immunity response differ based on whether an immune response is primary or secondary?

A

Primary immune response (initial exposure) = slow and smaller response
Secondary immune response (re-exposure to antigen) = faster and larger response

33
Q

What are the 3 stages of defence against a pathogen?

A
  1. Physical barriers e.g. flora and skin
  2. Innate immunity (inflammation, defensins, lysozymes)
  3. Adaptive immunity
34
Q

Give an example of the bodies innate immunity response

A

INFLAMMATION

35
Q

Both innate and adaptive immunity have cellular and humeral components. What are humeral components?

A

Any response involving antibodies

Immunology (16 decks)

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