Lectures 31: Anatomy and Physiology of the Immune System

Question 1

Three characteristics of the immune system

Answer 1

1. Is specific
2. Wide-ranging; has a long memory
3. Very tolerant to stuff it had while developing

Question 2

Immunocompetence

Answer 2

When mature cells protect the body from foreign invasion

Question 3

Lymphocytes

Answer 3

Foreign invader-destroying white blood cells

Question 4

Antigens

Answer 4

Through specific geometric shapes, these foreign molecules provoke an immune response.

Question 5

Antibodies

Answer 5

Molecules that work with some antigens to kill/neutralize them.

Question 6

T-cells

Answer 6

Stem cells migrate from red bone marrow and go to the thymus where they mature into T-cells.

Question 7

Characteristics of cell-meditated immunity

Answer 7

Produce T-cells; have antigen receptors on cell surfaces; work inside cells and require a “kiss of death”.

Question 8

Surface proteins the T-cells require

Answer 8

CD4+ (T4) or CD8+ (T8).

Question 9

Costimulators

Answer 9

Interleukins or cytokines. The second molecule needed to complete a TCR and antigen reaction.

Question 10

Helper T-cells

Answer 10

Mostly T4 cells; activate T8 cells to become killer T-cells; make interleukin-2

Question 11

Cytotoxic (killer) T-cells

Answer 11

Mainly T8 cells; recognize and lyse (break apart) invaders; need “kiss of death”, secrete perforin, lymphotoxin, and gamma interferon

Question 12

Suppressor T-cells

Answer 12

Suppress immune response

Question 13

Memory T-cells

Answer 13

Recorde previous intrusions and attack new ones.

Question 14

Humoral (antibody-meditated) immunity

Answer 14

Act extracellularly on things like bacteria;

Question 15

Antibody function

Answer 15

1. Agglutinate/precipitate antigen
2. freeze ciliated/flagellated bacteria
3. Stop bacteria toxins and viral entry into cells
4. Increase phagocytosis.

Question 16

Natural killer (NK) cells

Answer 16

1. Are lymphocytes and kill wide range of invaders
2. No prior experience is needed
3. No surface antigen receptors
4. Are in the spleen, blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes; need to contact invader.

Question 17

Natural killer cell recognition

Answer 17

Antigens are surface markers on all cells, except for red blood cells, and are unique glycoproteins.

Question 18

Signs of inflammation

Answer 18

Rubor (redness), tumor (mass), calor (heat), and dolor (pain)

Question 19

Passive immunization

Answer 19

Goes against specific diseases or invaders. Can be by direct injection or through the womb.

Question 20

Specific immunization

Answer 20

When reduced-strength antigen is injected into blood; this helps body make antibodies.

Question 21

Nonspecific immunization

Answer 21

When specific antigens are injected that raise immune system function.