Lymphatic System Components Flashcards
functions of the lymphatic system
protecting your body from illness-causing invaders, maintaining body fluid levels, absorbing digestive tract fats and removing cellular waste
primary structure
includes the bone marrow and thymus, consists of lymphatic vessels
secondary structure
lymph nodes, the spleen, the tonsils and mucous membranes, where immune cells fight off infections
is the lymphatic or thoracic larger?
thoracic
spleen
filters and stores blood and produces white blood cells that fight infection or disease
red pulp
made up of blood-filled cavities (venous sinuses) and splenic cords
white pulp
mainly made up of white blood cells
tonsils
they have the capability of stopping germs that enter through the mouth or nose, and they contain a lot of white blood cells which help to fight infection
lymph nodes
filter substances that travel through the lymphatic fluid
what is the origin of lymphocytes
Lymphocytes arise from stem cells in bone marrow
non-specific defenses
repel all microorganisms equally
physical barriers
prevent the entry and colonization of many microbes, skin is an example
interferons
signaling proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of several viruses
cytokines
regulate inflammation
complement pathway
enhances the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells
NK Cells
immune cell that has granules with enzymes that can kill tumor cells or cells infected with a virus
specific defenses
recognizes and coordinates attacks against specific pathogens
cell mediated immunity
activation of phagocytes, antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, and the release of various cytokines in response to an antigen
helper t-cells
activate B cells to secrete antibodies and macrophages to destroy ingested microbes
memory t-cells
trigger a faster and stronger immune response after encountering the same antigen
cytotoxic t-cells
play a major role in host defense against viral infection
regulatory t-cells
act to suppress immune response
antibody mediated immunity
the activation of B cells and secretion of antibodies when in contact with a pathogen
plasma cells
terminal differentiation step of mature B lymphocytes
memory b-cells
Memory cells respond to antigen much faster, require lower amounts of antigen, and can even be induced in its absence by soluble mediators
antibodies
produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen
types of immunity
the two major types are active and passive
innate vs. aquired
innate immunity (which an organism is born with) and adaptive immunity (which an organism acquires following disease exposure)
active vs. passive
Active immunity occurs when our own immune system is responsible, Passive immunity occurs when we are protected from a pathogen by immunity gained from someone else
natural vs. artificial
Natural immunity occurs through contact with a disease causing agent, artificial immunity develops only through deliberate actions of exposure
herd immunity
when a large portion of a community becomes immune to a disease
how does a vaccine work?
weakened disease cells are entered via the injection, where the immune system responds by attacking the disease cells and creating memory cells to save the information for later
lymphatic vs. cardiovascular system
both integral parts of the circulatory system, cardio system just moves blood around while the lymphatic system works with components of the blood
