Lecture 1

Question 1

What are the three lines of immunological defence?

Answer 1

1. First line (non specific)- Physical and chemical defences - Skin and mucous membranes
2. Second line (non specific)- Antimicrobial proteins (interferons, complement, transferrins), macrophages, NK cells, neutrophils, non specific cellular response, fever, inflammation
3. Third line (specific) - T cells (cell mediated immunity). B cells (humoral or antibody mediated immunity)

Question 2

Five ways antibodies help destroy pathogens?

Answer 2

1. Neutralising
2. Immobilising
3. Agglutination and precipitation
4. Initiating the complement system
5. Enhancing phagocytosis

Question 3

What is immunological memory?

Answer 3

The ability of the immune system to quickly and specifically recognise an antigen in the body from a previous encounter, and initiating a corresponding immune response.

Question 4

What is the benefit of immunological memory?

Answer 4

Faster and stronger response to antigen. Provides basis for vaccinations

Question 5

Which is the only antibody capable of crossing the placenta to give passive immunity to the fetus?

Answer 5

IgG

Question 6

Which is the most abundant antibody in the blood (80%), providing majority of antibody-based immunity?

Answer 6

IgG

Question 7

Which antibody eliminates pathogens in the early stages of B cell-mediated (humoral) immunity before the is sufficient IgG?

Answer 7

IgM

Question 8

Which antibody is expressed on the surface of B cells (monomer) and in a secreted form (pentamer) with very high avidity?

Answer 8

IgM

Question 9

Which antibody represents only 0.2% of all antibodies?

Answer 9

IgD

Question 10

Which antibody functions mainly as an antigen receptor on B cells that have not been expose to antigens?

Answer 10

IgD

Question 11

Which antibody has been shown to activate basophils and mast cells to produce antimicrobial factors?

Answer 11

IgD

Question 12

What antibody is found in mucosal areas such as the gut, respiratory tract, and urogenital tract, and prevents colonisation by pathogens? (also found in saliva, tears, and breast milk)

Answer 12

IgA

Question 13

Which antibody represents only 0.01% (the least) of all antibodies?

Answer 13

IgE

Question 14

Which antibody binds to allergens and triggers histamine release from mast cells and basophils, and is involved in allergies? (Also protects against parasitic worms)

Answer 14

IgE

Question 15

Define condition

Answer 15

A state of being specifically in reference to physical or mental health and wellbeing.

Question 16

Define syndrome

Answer 16

A set of symptoms occurring together resulting from a common cause or appearing in combination to present a clinical picture of a disease or inherited abnormality. E.g acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, Syndrome X

Question 17

Define differential diagnosis

Answer 17

Determining the difference and establishing the presence of a particular disease by elimination or exclusion. Is dependent on signs, symptoms and physical/emotional assessment

Question 18

Define aetiology

Answer 18

The study of all factors that may be involved in the development of a disease

Question 19

Define pathogenesis

Answer 19

Development or sequence of events in a disease process

Question 20

Define pathophysiology

Answer 20

The physiology of the disease process changing normal function

Question 21

Define iatrogenic

Answer 21

Relating to illness caused by medical examination or treatment

Question 22

Define idiopathic

Answer 22

Relating to or denoting any disease or condition which arises spontaneously or for which the cause is unknown.