Intro to Immunology

Question 1

2 categories that prevent need for an immune response (& x3 examples)

Answer 1

• Physical
• -> skin, cilia, mucus
• Biochemical
• -> low pH, sweat, secretions

Question 2

2 defence mechanisms

Answer 2

• Innate (1st line of defence)

- Adaptive (2nd line of defence)

Question 3

Innate immune response

• speed
• effect of further exposure
• cells involved & why

Answer 3

• Rapid
• Not improved
• Neutrophils & monocytes
• -> as phagocytose

Question 4

Chemicals in innate immune response x4

Answer 4

• Acute phase proteins
• Complement proteins
• Interferons
• Cytokines

Question 5

Acute phase proteins

• when
• example

Answer 5

• Rise v rapidly during an acute inflammatory response

- CRP (C-reactive protein)

Question 6

CRP

• what
• how acts
• why useful

Answer 6

• Acute phase protein
• Alone or as a complement
• Give a picture as to where someone is in their immune response

Question 7

Opsonins

• form
• function
• example

Answer 7

• Complements
• Enhances binding ability of phagocytes
• A bacteria covered w CRP

Question 8

Complement proteins

• what
• function

Answer 8

• When a protein joins w an opsonin

- Improve ability for: lysis, chemotaxis, opsonisation

Question 9

How is phagocytosis of a pathogen enhanced

Answer 9

• Opsonisation

- Antibody binding

Question 10

Interferons

• function
• types x3

Answer 10

• Warning system –> released by infection cell, making nearby ones more resistant to virus-cell replication
• Alpha, beta, gamma

Question 11

Alpha interferons

- produced by

Answer 11

• Leukocytes

Question 12

Beta interferons

- produced by

Answer 12

• Fibroblasts

Question 13

Gamma interferons

• produced by
• important in…

Answer 13

• T lymphocytes

- Adaptive immune response

Question 14

2 cells that kill viral-infected cells

Answer 14

• T-cells

- NK cells (natural killer)

Question 15

T cells

• how work x2
• specificity

Answer 15

• Can recognise viral-infected cells
• Kill them leaving neighbouring ones unharmed
• Very specific

Question 16

T cells vs NK cells

Answer 16

• Same function
• T-cells = adaptive response –> takes a few weeks
• NK cells = innate response –> can kill within a few hours

Question 17

Antigen

• structure
• function

Answer 17

• Highly spec. recognition sites

- Recognised by antibodies, stimulates an immune response & is then targeted

Question 18

Antibody

• structure
• function

Answer 18

• 2 heavy & 2 light chains

- Bind to antigens (highly specific), blocking ability for things to interact w and infect the cell

Question 19

Lymphocytes

• produce… x2
• important in…

Answer 19

• Gamma interferons
• T cells
• Adaptive immune response

Question 20

Vaccination process x4

Answer 20

• Inject antigen
• Makes IgM
• THEN highly spec. antibody = IgG
• Antibodies fade

Question 21

Effect of 2nd exposure after a vaccination & why

Answer 21

• Bigger & faster conc. of IgG

- As memory cells were made in 1st exposure

Question 22

B-cell function

Answer 22

• Secrete antibodies

Question 23

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia

- how occurs

Answer 23

• B cells produce antibodies that bind to & lyse rbcs

Question 24

Immune system in foetus

• maternal immune system is…
• immunoglobulins…

Answer 24

• Reprogrammed in pregnancy to prevent an immune response agains paternal elements of foetus
• Gets maternal IgG BUT these fade

Question 25

Define hypersensitivity

Answer 25

When immune response is generated when not needed

Question 26

Defin immunodeficiency

Answer 26

Certain components of immune response are defective

Question 27

Define autoimmunity

Answer 27

When parts of your body become recognised as non-self

Question 28

2 examples of autoimmunity

Answer 28

• Rheumatoid arthritis

- Type 1 diabetes