Intro to Immunology

Question 1

What is the expectation of the immune system

Answer 1

To protect us from everything dangerous, whilst avoiding self-harm

Question 2

Name a few mechanical barrier defenses

Answer 2

Epithelial cells joined by tight junctions.
Cilia in lungs and nose
Longitudinal flow of air or fluid in skin or gut

Question 3

Name a few chemical barrier defenses

Answer 3

Defensins, histatins, lowPH (gut), enzymes (pepsin in gut, lysozyne in saliva), cathelicidin

Question 4

What are the escalating phases of the immune response?

Answer 4

• Immediate innate → 0-4 hours
− Pathogen recognized by preformed soluble effector molecules and resident effector cells
• Induced innate → 4 hours to 4 days
− Soluble effector molecules and effector cells recruited to the infected tissue
• Adaptive → 4 days until defeat of the pathogen
− B and T cells proliferate to become effector cells
− Effector molecules (antibodies) and effector T cells travel to the site of infection.