Introduction to immunology

Question 1

What are the 3 lines of defence?

Answer 1

innate
adaptive
specificity memory

Question 2

What are examples of physical defence mechanisms?

Answer 2

barriers (skin, epithelia)
movement (cilia)
trapping (mucus)

Question 3

What are examples of biochemical defence mechanisms?

Answer 3

low pH (sweat, stomach)

Question 4

What is an opsonin?

Answer 4

substance that coats cell/bacteria and enhances the ability of phagocytes to phagocytose the particle

Question 5

What is a CRP?

Answer 5

C-reactive protein is used in monitoring inflammatory responses

Question 6

What is the function of interferons?

Answer 6

to be excreted from cells that have a viral infection and warn nearby cells

Question 7

What is autoimmunity?

Answer 7

immune response against body’s own healthy cells

Question 8

What change occurs in immunity during pregnancy?

Answer 8

estrogens stimulate IgG and IgA production and they inhibit T cells that could reject the foetus