Lymphatic System

Question 1

What are the 2 functions of the immune system?

Answer 1

1. To keep invading substances out of the body

2. To distinguish self vs non-self

Question 2

What are the primary organs of the lymphatic system? What are the secondary organs?

Answer 2

Bone marrow and thymus; Lymph nodes and spleen

Question 3

What are the structures of the immune system and are they primary or secondary?

Answer 3

The structures are secondary and are the tonsils found in MALT

Question 4

What are the ways in which the immune system produces responses?

Answer 4

It works via cell-mediated responses (by lymphocytes) or humoral responses (produced antibodies).

Question 5

What is an epitope?

Answer 5

It is the region of an antigen that is recognized by the body’s antibodies.

Question 6

What gives and antibody its specificity?

Answer 6

The N-terminus region, of which binds to an antigen based on the epitope.

Question 7

What is it called when antibodies that are bound to antigens clump together and cause the antigens to precipitate out?

Answer 7

Agglutination.

Question 8

What is complement fixation?

Answer 8

This is where the Fc region of the antibody associates with complement protein to target the antigen for degradation by causing it to be attracted to the receptor of cells that will destroy it

Question 9

What type of response involves the immune cells recognizing antibodies bound to antigens which induces phagocytosis?

Answer 9

Opsonization.

Question 10

What is the most abundant immunoglobulin? What does it do?

Answer 10

IgG activates complement system, acts as opsonins, and crosses the placenta, giving immune protection to fetus from mom.

Question 11

What is IgA?

Answer 11

It is an immunoglobulin that is secreted via mucous membrane and is the first line of defense?

Question 12

Which immunoglobulin activates B cells and is the first class of immunoglobulins made in the antigen response?

Answer 12

IgM.

Question 13

Why is Adaptive or Acquired Immunity better than Innate or Natural Immunity?

Answer 13

Because adaptive immunity has great specificity, as well as diversity, memory, self-limitation, and tolerance.

Question 14

What does MALT stand for? And what does it contain?

Answer 14

Mucosa associated lymphatic tissue. It contains lots of cells like IgA secreting cells, APCs, B cells, and helper T cells. MALT manifests as diffuse, solitary nodules, Peyer’s patches, and in the tonsils.

Question 15

Which lymphocyte matures in the thymus?

Answer 15

T cells.

Question 16

What do lymph nodes do? What is the function of the cortex layers and the medulla?

Answer 16

They monitor fluid from connective tissue. The cortex has an outer layer for testing and an inner layer to make antibodies if needed. The medulla has sinuses through which the lymph moves and baths the nodules so it can be tested by the B and T cells.

Question 17

What does the spleen do?

Answer 17

It is an organ that is an in-line blood filer where blood is monitored? It also removes RBC at a certain point, because when they get too large, they cannot transport heme well.

Question 18

What are the functions of the closed and open circulation types of the spleen?

Answer 18

The closed type feeds the organ where capillaries drain into sinusoids. The open type baths and monitors where arterial blood passes through cellular space and into sinusoids.

Question 19

What type of barriers are included in innate immunity?

Answer 19

1. Anatomic barriers (skin, mucous membranes)
2. Physiological barriers (temp, pH)
3. Endocytic and phagocytic barriers
4. Inflammatory response