Lab 2 immune system Flashcards
Describe the role and function of neutrophils.
Neutrophils are the first white blood cells recruited to sites of acute inflammation, in response to chemotactic signals. Neutrophils represent the first line of defence in response to invading microbes, by phagocytosis of pathogens
Describe the role and function of monocytes?
Monocytes are phagocytes that circulate in the blood. When monocytes migrate into tissues,they develop into macrophages. They are powerful phagocytes. (Can stimulate other immune cells by presenting foreign antigen). They can send out powerful chemical signals called monokines.
Describe the role and function of mast cells?
They mediate inflammatory responses. They store a number of different chemical mediators - histamine, interleukins,proteoglycans ad enzymes)- these are present in coarse granules. Upon stimulation by an allergen. the mast cells release the contents of their granules (degranulation) into surrounding tissues and produce a local response.
Describe the role and function of eosinophils?
Eosinophilic functions include: movement to inflamed areas, trapping substances, killing cells, anti-parasitic and bactericidal activity, participating in immediate allergic reactions, and modulating inflammatory responses through degranulation.
Describe the role and function of basophils?
In addition to fighting parasitic infections, basophils play a role in: Preventing blood clotting: Basophils contain heparin. This is a naturally occurring blood-thinning substance. Mediating allergic reactions: In allergic reactions, the immune system is exposed to an allergen. Basophils release histamine during allergic reactions. Basophils are also thought to play a role in causing the body to produce the antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE).
What are the following labels?
1-antigen binding region
2-light chain
3-heavy chain
4-Fc region
5-Fab region
Describe the role and fucntion of natural killer cells.
Natural killer (NK) cells are a type
of lethal white cell/lymphocyte. NK cells are armed with
granules filled with potent chemicals e.g. perforin.
(while killer T cells look for antigen
fragments bound to self-MHC molecules),
NK cells recognize cells lacking self-MHC
molecules. Thus NK cells have the
potential to attack many types of
foreign cells including virally infected and tumour cells.
What are lymphocytes and where are they produced?
Small white blood cells produced in the lymphoid organs. (paramount in immune defences).
What are the key properties and function of bone marrow?
Bone marrow, the soft tissue in the hollow
center of bones, is the ultimate source of
all blood cells, including white blood cells
destined to become immune cells.
What is the function of the thymus?
It’s primary function is to promote the development of cells of the immune system called T lymphocytes.
What is the function of the lymph nodes?
Lymph nodes play two major roles in the body: filtration of lymph and production of immune responses.
Lymph nodes filter lymph of harmful pathogens such as bacteria and viruses as well as cellular waste, dead cells, and cancerous cells.
They are also major sites of B and T cells and other white blood cells.
What is the function of the spleen?
It mainly acts as a filter for purifying the blood, removing microbes and worn out or damaged red blood cells.
It is also an important organ in the immune system, producing the white blood cells that fight infection and synthesize antibodies.
What is the function of mucus associated lymphoid tissue?
Initiates immune responses to specific antigens encountered along all mucosal surfaces
What is the function of gut-associated lymphoid tissue?
T-cell lymphocytes, B-cell lymphocytes, and macrophages primarily inhabit Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT). The role of GALT is to block normal flora bacteria (bacteria that are normally present in the gastrointestinal tract to aid digestion) from penetrating into other tissues or the BLOOD circulation.
What are some examples of an antigen-presenting cell and what is their role?
An antigen-presenting cell (APC) is an immune cell that detects, engulfs, and informs the adaptive immune response about an infection (present to T cells).
Examples of antigen-presenting cells are macrophages, B-cells and dendritic cells.
What is an antigen-presenting cell?
An antigen-presenting cell (APC) is a cell that displays antigen complexed with major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) on their surfaces; this process is known as antigen presentation. It stimulates an immune response.
