Lymphocytes & Antibodies Flashcards
Wen you experience one type of pathogen, what does the immune system produce
Specialised cells called memory cells.
How long can memory cells remain in your body
For life
Why are memory cells useful
If you are infected with a disease for a second time your immune system will respond much more quickly-so fast that you do not have any symptoms
The cycle of immune response
1-Lymphocyte detects foreign antigen
2-Lymphocyte divided by mitosis
3-Large numbers of plasma cells are produced. They secrete proteins called antibodies
4-Antibodies bind to the antigens on pathogens and inactivate and destroy pathogens
5-This produces memory cells which produce a rapid immune response on second exposure to the antigen.
What are lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell found in the blood or lymph nodes and made by bone marrow.
What are T-lymphocytes
They recognise antigens on pathogens and either attack them directly or co-ordinate the activity of other cells of the immune system.
What are B-lymphocytes
They recognise antigens and produce special chemicals called antibodies.
What is a anti bodies function
They are special Y-shaped proteins produced by B-lymphocytes in response to antigens.
How do antibodies work
Antibodies work by binding to antigens on pathogens, ‘labelling’ them and causing them to clump together. These pathogens can be destroyed by:phagocytosis by macrophages,T-lymphocytes or the antibodies themselves.
Each different type of antigen
Causes a different type of antibody to be produced. An antibody can only bind to the antigen that caused it to be produced.
What does the B-lymphocyte do when you get sick
The B-lymphocyte that produces the correct antibody for the antigen begins dividing to produce many more antibody-producing cells.
Why is there a delayed response
It takes a few days to produce enough antibodies to destroy the pathogen. This means there is delay between infection and the person beginning to feel better.
What happens once a pathogen is destroyed
A few memory cells remain. These recognize the pathogen if it re-infects, and make the immune response much quicker and more effective. This is called active immunity.
What are Phagocytes
A white blood cell that detects, surrounds, engulfs and digests pathogens.
What are antibodies
Produced by lymphocytes attaching to the antigen found on the surface of the pathogens
What is a lymphocyte
A white blood cell that produces antibodies in response to foreign antigens
What is an antigen
The protein found on the surface of the pathogen.
Memory cells
White bloods cells which remember what specific antibody to make eg chickenpox antibody.
Immune
A level of antibody production has been achieved so that you will not become ill.
