Introduction into Immunity Flashcards
What is the function of the immune system?
To protect us from foreign pathogens. It also differentiates between ‘self’ from ‘non-self’ and ‘harmful’ from ‘harmless’
What are the barriers of immunity?
- external (skin, stomach, mucus etc).
- Innate immunity (relates to dendritic cells)
- Adaptive immunity (relates to lymphocytes)
Describe the innate immunity
The innate immunity is the second barrier. It has a rapid response and activates the adaptive immunity. It is related to the dendritic cells. Memory cannot be refined and the innate immunity is limited and broad.
Describe the adaptive immunity
The adaptive immunity is the third barrier. It takes longer to activate and can be refined. It is more specialised and relates to lymphocytes.
What are some differences between innate and adaptive immunity
The two barriers are connected by the innate’s dendritic cells. The innate immunity activates the adaptive while the adaptive supports the innate.
Some of the key differences is time (rapid vs long) and memory (no improvement vs improvement).
Define microbiome
A microbiome is where a pool/collection of genes found in all of the microbes associated with a particular host.
What are some of the functions of microbiomes
Metabolise drugs Digest food Suppress pathogens (colonisation) Produce antibodies Regulate fat storage
What do commensal, symbiont and opportunistic microorganisms relate to?
The relationship between normal flora has on humans
Describe commensal microorganisms
Commensal microorganisms means not effect is made (not harmful or beneficial)
Describe symbiont microorganisms
Relates to beneficial microorganisms
Describe opportunistic microorganisms
Relates to microorganisms being able to turn into pathogens due to environments (location etc)
Describe common routes of microbial transmission
Skin
Faecal-oral
Skin
Respiratory aerosols
