Lect 1 - Intro to Immu

Question 1

outline the basic functions of the immune system

Answer 1

the immune system protects us against infections

it is made up of specific components with specific functions that help us fight infections, and protect against different infectious pathogens.

Question 2

how is the lymphoid tissue categorised, and what are the roles of its sundividions

Answer 2

the lymphoid tissue is divided into primary and secondary organs

primary: thymus, bone marrow - involved in production of lymphocytes

secondary (aka peripheral): lymph node, tonsils, adenoids, spleen - specialised area where adaptive immune response is initiated and carried out

Question 3

what is the thamus

Answer 3

two identical lobes and is located anatomically in the anterior superior mediastinum, in front of the heart and behind the sternum.

this is where T-cells maturate

Question 4

what is the major function of the bone marrow

Answer 4

creating both T-cells and production (T-cells mature in the thymus) and maturation of B-cell

Question 5

what is a lymph node

Answer 5

organised collection of lymphoid tissue through which the lymph (fluid) passes on its way to returning to the blood

Question 6

what does the spleen do

Answer 6

filtrate blood by removing old RBC

Question 7

what are Peyer’s patches

Answer 7

similar to other lymph but in the bowel
they are aggregations of lymphoid tissue that are usually found in the lowest portion of the small intestine, the ileum, in humans

Question 8

why do we have all these sturcutre

Answer 8

lymph nodes are like relay stations of the immune system
if we didn’t have lymph nodes it would be too hard for body to keep an eye on the whole thing
like a relay station so lymphocytes only need to visit 10 to 20 stations

Question 9

where don’t we have lymphatic system

Answer 9

eye
int ear
cartilage
CNS
bone

Question 10

how do they move? difference between afferent and efferent

Answer 10

afferent = towards CNS
efferent = towards periphery

Question 11

describe the charateristics of the innate

Answer 11

this is the non-specific immune system. it is encoded in the human germline and transferred from mother to baby. it relies on receptors and molecules that target specific pathogens. the process of immune response does not change.

Question 12

compare and contrast adaptive vs innate immunity

Answer 12

this is only present in higher vertebrates. the adaptive immune system relies on unique receptors on lymphocytes to identify specific pathogens. these receptors are unique within each individual. the immune response process is streamlined as it can remember what previous pathogens

Question 13

what are PAMPS and DAMPS used for?

Answer 13

PAMPs - pathogen associated molecular patterns

DAMPs - danger associated molecular pattern

these receptors help the innate immune system recognise pathogens

Question 14

draw the flowchart of how pathogen interacts with innate and adaptive immune response

Answer 14

pathogen -> innate activation -> adaptive activation -> activation of effectors from both systsms

Question 15

what is an antigen

Answer 15

antibody generator, is any substance which provokes an adaptive immune response

it can do so by surface protein, secrete toxins, or different DNA/RNA

Question 16

whats MHC II

Answer 16

special proteins on surface determined by genetic
its what we show to the immune system
also in transplants etc…

Question 17

what does the term lymphatic system cover, how is it developed, where don’t we have it

Answer 17

lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes

develops by differentiating from veins and follow course of veins

we don’t have it in the eyeball, internal ear, epidermis of the skin, cartilage or bone

Question 18

what can trigger tolerance

Answer 18

1. not producing a full immune response as the antigen is recognised as “self”
2. central: removal of possible self reactive
   lymphocytes during development
3. peripheral: processes which prevent activation of
   self-reactive lymphocytes once they are formed