Lecture 7: Overview of the Immune System Flashcards
Why have infectious diseases globalized?
Urbanization, Travel, Mass Distribution of Food, Antibiotic Boom, Population Growth
What are the four types of pathogens?
Viruses, Bacteria, Fungi, Parasite
Describe the structure of a virus.
A virus has a nucleic acid core with a protein capsid. It can have either DNA or DNA and be single or double stranded. Some viruses contain envelopes with glycoproteins and will target either the host or be cell specific.
How do viruses infect a call?
Usually through receptor-mediated endocytosis.
Describe the take over of a virus.
Viral nucleic acid is integrated and the virus makes use of the host cell resources. Important to note, that genome replication is error prone.
Describe the structure of a bacteria?
Bacteria cells have a membrane and usually a cell wall.
What do you know about the survival and reproduction of bacteria?
They can both survive and reproduce outside the host. But can be killed or inhibited by antibiotics.
How do bacteria cause disease? (name the two categories)
Intracellular & Extracellular
Describe the extracellular method bacteria use to cause disease.
The production of endotoxin and exotoxin produce a local response
Describe the intracellular method bacteria use to cause disease.
Bacteria will attach and invade the host cell, there they will proliferate and there will be toxin-induced damage.
What is the role of the immune system? (name 4)
- Defend against pathogens
- Distinguish self from non-self
- Eliminate microbial agents
- Immunological memory
What are the 3 mechanism of immunity?
- Physical Barriers
- Innate Immune System
- Adaptive Immune System
What are the physical barriers?
- Skin - tightly packed cells, shedding removes pathogens
- Mucous membranes - multiple layers of epithelial cells, work to filter
- Chemicals found on the physical barriers
