Introduction to immunity Flashcards
What is immunology?
The study of the body’s defenses against infection
What are the functions of the immune system?
To recognize neutralize and eliminate foreign material while distinguishing self from non-self
What are the two types of immunity?
Innate immunity which is rapid and non-specific and adaptive immunity which is slow and specific with memory
Name the five types of pathogens.
Viruses bacteria fungi protozoa and helminths worms
What are cytokines?
Signaling molecules that regulate immune cell functions
What are the characteristics of the innate immune response?
It is rapid non-specific and has no memory
What are the characteristics of the adaptive immune response?
It is slow highly specific and generates memory
What are the physical barriers of innate immunity?
The skin mucosal surfaces and epithelial cells that prevent entry of pathogens
What are the chemical barriers of innate immunity?
Lysozymes in tears and saliva and acidic gastric juices in the stomach
What is the primary role of the innate immune system?
To act as the first line of defense against infections by recognizing and responding to pathogens quickly
What is the role of adaptive immunity?
To provide a highly specific response to pathogens and develop immunological memory for faster future responses
What are the main cells involved in adaptive immunity?
B cells which produce antibodies and T cells which provide helper and cytotoxic functions
How does the immune system distinguish self from non-self?
By recognizing unique molecular patterns on pathogens while avoiding self-molecules
What is the role of antigen-presenting cells APCs?
To process and present antigens to T cells to activate the adaptive immune response
What is immunological memory?
The ability of the adaptive immune system to remember previous encounters with pathogens and respond more effectively upon re-exposure
What are the effector mechanisms of the innate immune system?
Phagocytosis inflammation and the activation of complement proteins
What is the role of inflammation in immunity?
To recruit immune cells to the site of infection and promote the elimination of pathogens
What are lymphocytes?
White blood cells that are central to adaptive immunity and include B cells T cells and natural killer cells
What is the difference between primary and secondary immune responses?
Primary responses occur during the first encounter with an antigen and are slower while secondary responses are faster and stronger due to memory
What is the importance of the lymphatic system in immunity?
It transports immune cells and antigens to lymph nodes where adaptive immune responses are initiated
What are the major differences between innate and adaptive immunity?
Innate immunity is rapid non-specific and has no memory while adaptive immunity is slower highly specific and develops memory
