Introduction to non-specific immunity Flashcards
What are the functions of the lymphatic system?
Draining interstitial fluid from tissue spaces
Transporting dietary lipids
Defence against disease
How is Lymph formed?
From blood plasma that filters from blood capillaries into interstitial space
Where does Excess interstitial fluid pass through?
Endothelium of lymph vessels into lymph capillaries
What are the Primary lymphatic organs?
Mature white blood cells called B and T lymphocytes, Red bone marrow and thymus gland
What are the secondary lymphatic organs?
Lymph nodes, spleen, lymph nodules
What are infections caused by?
Pathogens
Give me an example of a virus and bacteria infection?
Influenza virus, Clostridium tetani (tetanum)
Give me an example of a Protozoa, fungi and helminths infection?
Plasmodium (malaria)
Candida albicans (thrush)
tapeworms
What is the Innate immune system?
Non-specific, recognised molecules associated with pathogens, born with, respond immediately to pathogen
What is the Adaptive immune system?
Specific - for antigen and found in vertebraes acquired by experience and memory
Why is innate immunity important?
For initial immune response to a pathogen
What is Haemotopoiesis?
HSC sustain blood cells throughout life, capable of self renewal and multipotent
What is the Mechanism for non specific immune response?
Prevention of entry into the body and destruct foreign materials
What are the 3 non-specific defences?
Antimicrobial proteins
Natural killer cells and Phagocytes
Inflammation
What are the 3 Antimicrobial proteins?
Interferons
Compliment
Transferrins
What do Interferons IFNS do?
Produced by lymphocytes - function as chemical messengers instruct neighbour cells to produce antiviral proteins
What are the 3 types of Interferon proteins?
Alpha, Beta, Gamma
What do compliment proteins do?
Found in inactive state in blood plasma on membrane forms a complement system. when active enhance inflammatory reactions
What are transferrin proteins?
Iron binding proteins that inhibit growth of certain bacteria by reducing available iron
What are Natural Killer cells?
Specialised granular lymphocytes that are crucial for defence against tumour and viral cells, dont detect pathogen directly
How do NKs detect infected cells?
Defect effect on host cell and lack of host proteins or induction of stress proteins