Introduction to immunity

Question 1

What is immunology?

Answer 1

The study of the body’s defenses against infection

Question 2

What are the functions of the immune system?

Answer 2

To recognize neutralize and eliminate foreign material while distinguishing self from non-self

Question 3

What are the two types of immunity?

Answer 3

Innate immunity which is rapid and non-specific and adaptive immunity which is slow and specific with memory

Question 4

Name the five types of pathogens.

Answer 4

Viruses bacteria fungi protozoa and helminths worms

Question 5

What are cytokines?

Answer 5

Signaling molecules that regulate immune cell functions

Question 6

What are the characteristics of the innate immune response?

Answer 6

It is rapid non-specific and has no memory

Question 7

What are the characteristics of the adaptive immune response?

Answer 7

It is slow highly specific and generates memory

Question 8

What are the physical barriers of innate immunity?

Answer 8

The skin mucosal surfaces and epithelial cells that prevent entry of pathogens

Question 9

What are the chemical barriers of innate immunity?

Answer 9

Lysozymes in tears and saliva and acidic gastric juices in the stomach

Question 10

What is the primary role of the innate immune system?

Answer 10

To act as the first line of defense against infections by recognizing and responding to pathogens quickly

Question 11

What is the role of adaptive immunity?

Answer 11

To provide a highly specific response to pathogens and develop immunological memory for faster future responses

Question 12

What are the main cells involved in adaptive immunity?

Answer 12

B cells which produce antibodies and T cells which provide helper and cytotoxic functions

Question 13

How does the immune system distinguish self from non-self?

Answer 13

By recognizing unique molecular patterns on pathogens while avoiding self-molecules

Question 14

What is the role of antigen-presenting cells APCs?

Answer 14

To process and present antigens to T cells to activate the adaptive immune response

Question 15

What is immunological memory?

Answer 15

The ability of the adaptive immune system to remember previous encounters with pathogens and respond more effectively upon re-exposure

Question 16

What are the effector mechanisms of the innate immune system?

Answer 16

Phagocytosis inflammation and the activation of complement proteins

Question 17

What is the role of inflammation in immunity?

Answer 17

To recruit immune cells to the site of infection and promote the elimination of pathogens

Question 18

What are lymphocytes?

Answer 18

White blood cells that are central to adaptive immunity and include B cells T cells and natural killer cells

Question 19

What is the difference between primary and secondary immune responses?

Answer 19

Primary responses occur during the first encounter with an antigen and are slower while secondary responses are faster and stronger due to memory

Question 20

What is the importance of the lymphatic system in immunity?

Answer 20

It transports immune cells and antigens to lymph nodes where adaptive immune responses are initiated

Question 21

What are the major differences between innate and adaptive immunity?

Answer 21

Innate immunity is rapid non-specific and has no memory while adaptive immunity is slower highly specific and develops memory