Introduction to Immunology Flashcards
What is the innate defence mechanism?
First line of defence and is not improved by further exposure.
What is the adaptive defence mechanism?
Second line of defence and is improved by further exposure.
What are the 3 types of physical barrier?
Barrier, movement and trapping.
What is an example of a barrier physical barrier?
Skin and epithelia.
What is an example of a movement physical barrier?
Cilia.
What is an example of a trapping physical barrier?
Mucus.
What are examples of biochemical barriers?
Low pH and lysozyme secretion.
Give examples of when low pHs are used in the body.
Sweat, vaginal secretions and the stomach.
What is an example of lysozyme secretion?
Lysozyme secretions damage cell wall of bacteria.
What happens when barriers are breached?
Phagocytic cells, neutrophils and monocytes are released.
What are the 3 stages of phagocytosis?
Phagocytosis, lysosome fusion and release of microbial products.
What are the chemicals involved in the immune system?
Acute phase proteins, complement proteins, interferons and cytokines.
What is opsonin?
Substance that coats cell and enhances the ability of phagocytes to phagocytose the particle.
What is IFN alpha secreted by?
Leucocytes
What is IFN beta secreted by?
Fibroblasts
What is IFN gamma secreted by?
T lymphocytes.
When is interferon produced?
When host cells become infected by virus.
What is the function of interferons?
They act on other host cells to induce a state of resistance to viral infection.
What are plasma cells?
Cells which produce antibodies.
In pregnancy, what do estrogens stimulate?
It stimulates IgG and IgA production.
What is autoimmunity?
Immune system reacting to self. Loss of tolerance.
Which immune system forms a memory response to a pathogen?
The adaptive immune system.
What are macrophages when they are “dormant” in the blood?
Monocytes
Which protein levels can indicate an inflammatory response in a patient?
C-reactive protein.
