Lecture 12: Innate Immunity Flashcards
What is susceptibility?
Likelihood of acquiring/lack of resistance to a disease
What is resistance?
Ability to ward off disease
What is innate resistance?
Resistance due to physiological processes of humans that are incompatible with those of the pathogen
Chemical receptors for pathogens are not present on human cells
Temperature and pH may be incompatible with those necessary for the pathogens survival
What is acquired resistance?
Resistance to an infectious agent due to prior contact with that agent
What is nonspecific resistance?
Innate, defense against any pathogens
What is specific resistance?
Acquired, defense against specific pathogens
What is the first line of defense?
A surface protection composed of anatomical and physiological barriers that keep microbes/ pathogens from entering the body
-physical barriers (intact skin)
-microbiota barrier (normal microbiota (flora))
-chemical barriers (mucous membranes and their secretions)
Discuss the mechanical factors of intact skin
Epidermis
-outer layer composed of multiple layers of tightly packed cells
-few pathogens can penetrate these layers
-shedding of dead skin cells removes attached microorganisms
Dermis
-contains protein fibers called collagen and keratin
-give skin strength and pliability to resist abrasions that could introduce microorganisms
Discuss the mechanical factor - mucous membrane
Line all body cavities open to the outside environment (oral cavity, digestive system,.)
Two distinct layers:
(1) Epithelium: thin, outer covering of the mucous membranes
-tightly packed
-shed continually
-used for absorption
-contain goblet cells which produce sticky mucus that traps bacteria and pathogens
(2) Depper connective layer that supports the epithelium
Discuss the mechanical factor - ciliary escalator
Microbes trapped in mucus are transported away from the lungs
Discuss the mechanical factor - lacrimal apparatus
Tears: washes eyes
Discuss other mechanical factors like saliva, urine, vaginal secretions
Saliva: washes microbes off
Urine: flows out
Vaginal secretions: flow out
Discuss chemical factor, perspiration
Perspiration secreted by sweat glands
salt- inhibits growth of pathogens
Discuss chemical factor, low pH
skin (3-5) and gastric juice (1.2-3.0)
Discuss chemical factor, lysozyme
Lysozyme destroy cell wall bacteria
in tear, saliva, nasal secretions, tissue fluids
Discuss chemical factor, sebum
Sebum secreted by sebaceous (oil) glands (fatty acid)
Helps keep skin pliable
Lowers the pH of the skin
Fungistatic
Discuss chemical factor, transferrins
Transferrins in blood find iron, making iron unavailable for bacterial growth
Discuss microbial antagonism/ competitive exclusion when normal microbiota compete with pathogens
normal microbiota compete with pathogens:
Secrete antimicrobial substances that limit pathogen growth
Consumption of nutrients makes them unavailable to pathogens
Create an environment unfavorable for other microorganisms by changing pH
What is the immune system?
A healthy immune system is responsible for:
-surveillance of the body
-recognition of foreign materials
-destruction of entities deemed to be foreign
Discuss neutrophils and eosinophils?
Can phagocytize pathogens
Are capable of diapedesis
What are the body compartments with immune functions?
The reticuloendothelial system (RES)
The extracellular fluid (ECF) surrounding tissue cells
The blood stream
The lymphatic system
What is the composition of whole blood?
Composed of cells and portions of cells within a fluid called plasma
Plasma is mostly water containing electrolytes, dissolved gases, nutrients, and proteins
- after clotting, remaining fluid is called serum (therapy and testing)
- plasmas proteins include complement proteins and antibodies
-the cells and cell fragments in plasma are called formed elements
Buffy coat: white layer, 1%, WBCs