Lecture 6; Innate immunity

Question 1

Does innate immunity ever change?

Answer 1

Doesnt change and is present from birth. In terms of the ones outside of the body

Question 2

Whats the two roles of the immune system?

Answer 2

1) Distinguishes self from non-self

2) Response to molecular shapes (Antigens)

Question 3

What is the importance of distinguishing self from non-self?

Answer 3

• Protect against infection
• Recover from infection and tissue damage
• Maintain adequate relationship with environment

Question 4

Write some general notes on innate and adaptive immunity;

Answer 4

Innate immunity

• Generally early defences
• Not antigen specific
• Not affected by repeated exposure

Adaptive immunity

• Generally later
• Antigen-specific
• Result in immunological memory

Question 5

Note some external surface protection biochemical and biophysical defences;

Answer 5

Biochemical defence

• Lysozyme in most secretions
• Sebaceous gland secretions
• Commensal microbes
• Spermine in semen

Biophysical defences (ext and int surfaces)

• Mucus
• Cilia in resp.
• Acid
• Skin

Question 6

What are two internal innate factors?

Answer 6

1. Phagocytosis

2. Complement system

Question 7

Describe how the compliment components work?

Answer 7

Around 20 enzymatic proteins in the blood

First complement component recognises common cell wall components of bacteria…

Activates other complement components via enzymatic fragmentation

All lead to enhanced phagocytosis

Question 8

List some compliment components and their function;

Answer 8

• Increased vascular permeability (C3a, C4a, C5a)
• Chemotaxis (C3a)
• Opsonisation (C3b)

Question 9

What drains oedema?

Answer 9

The lymphatic system into the thoracic ducts (back into circulation)

Question 10

What can block lymphatic vessels?

Answer 10

Many things i.e Microfilaria parasatic worms

Question 11

What are the primary lymphatic organs?

Answer 11

Thymus
Bone marrow

This is where lymphocytes are made before being exported to secondary organs to recognise antigens.

Question 12

What are some secondary lymphatic organs?

Answer 12

Adenoids
Tonsils
Spleen
Payers patches
Appendix
Lymph nodes

(Where lymphocytes respond to antigens)

Question 13

What are the cells of the blood?

Answer 13

Erythrocytes
Platelets
Basophil
Eosinophil
Monocyte
Neutrophil
Lymphocyte (B and T cells)

All derived from stem cells -> Megakaryocyte