module 01 section 01 (intro to immunology)

Question 1

define “immunology”

Answer 1

the study of the immune system and its response to invading pathogens and foreign substances

Question 2

what is the immune system?

Answer 2

a collection of cells, tissues and molecules that respond to infections to protect the body

Question 3

what is the immune system composed of? (2)

Answer 3

• primary and secondary lymphatic components

- lymphatic vessels

Question 4

what are the primary lymphatic components? (2)

Answer 4

thymus and bone marrow

Question 5

what are the secondary lymphatic components? (8)

Answer 5

• adenoids
• tonsils
• bronchus associated lymphoid tissue
• lymph nodes
• spleen
• intestine
• Peyer’s patches
• appendix

Question 6

what is an “immune response” ?

Answer 6

the coordinated reaction of cells, tissues and molecuels to infectious microbes and foreign substances

Question 7

explain the Edward Jenner Experiment

Answer 7

• he noticed milkmaids that were exposed to cowpox never contracted smallpox
• he innoculated an 8 year old boy with fluid from a cow pox pustule and later infected the same boy with smallpox and the kid never developped the disease
• this basically invented vaccines and gave rise to immunology
• I.e. hes the father of immunology

Question 8

when was the first vaccine initiated by the WHO for smallpox? what is this inspite of?

Answer 8

inspite of Edward jenners discovery in 1795, the first smallpox vaccine was not delivered by the WHO until 1967

Question 9

when was smallpox officially eradicated?

Answer 9

1979

Question 10

list the 3 functions of the immune system

Answer 10

• innate
• adaptive
• surveillance

Question 11

define “innate immunity”

what is this system composed of?

Answer 11

• composed of physcial barriers, chemical elements, innate immune cells (neutrophils, phagocytic cells, etc.)
• these act in a protective manner against environmental or infectious agents (w a set of nonspecific responses to pathogens)

Question 12

define “adaptive immunity”

what is this system composed of?

Answer 12

• composed of B and T lympocytes
• first encounter of a foreign pathogen develops a primary response
• during this primary response some of these cells develop into memory cells which can recognize the same pathogen if infected again
• these memory cells are able to respond more efficiently against the foreign agent and mount a more effective secondary response unique to the pathogen

Question 13

define “surveillance”

Answer 13

the innate and adaptive immune systems work together to fight infection, but also act as surveillance systems to detect any foreign or defective cells in the body

Question 14

what are the benefits of surveillance?

Answer 14

helps prevent the proliferation of dangerous or deleterious cells within the body’s systems (e.g. cancer)

Question 15

list the 3 targets of the immune system

Answer 15

• microbes
• macromolecules
• cells

Question 16

define “microbes”

provide examples

Answer 16

• microorganisms that cause disease

- bacteria, virsues, parasites, fungi

Question 17

define “macromolecules”

provide examples

Answer 17

• large non-living molecuels that are found in foods, drugs and chemicals
• e.g. allergic rxn to protein in strawberries
• e.g. vs bacterial toxins (beneficial)

Question 18

define “cells” (in terms of a target of the immune system)

provide examples

Answer 18

• the immune system is able to distinguish btwn self (normally functioning) cells and non-self cells (either foreign or mutated/infected self cells)
• tumor cells, virally infected cells, cells in mismatched blood transfusions or tissue/organ transplants

Question 19

define “allergic reactions”

Answer 19

ocasionally the body’s immune system can overreact to substances called allergens that are usually not harmful

Question 20

what are the possible symptoms of an allergic reaction? (5)

Answer 20

hives, itching, swelling, sneezing and runny nose

Question 21

define “autoimmune disease”

provide examples

Answer 21

• these occur when the body incorrectly identifies ‘self’ cells as foreign cells
• e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, grave’s disease, systemic lupus, erythematosus

Question 22

what are the possible symptoms of autoimmune diseases?

Answer 22

inflammation (classic sign)

which may cause redness, heat, pain and swelling

Question 23

can the state of the immune system be analyzed through lab tests?

Answer 23

yes

Question 24

what can immunological tests identify

Answer 24

• check for defects in the immune response

- confirm a suspected diagnosis

Question 25

what are vaccines used for?

Answer 25

to boost immune defenses to protect individuals and the population

Question 26

what are the two types of adverse effects the immune system can have?

Answer 26

• dicomfort associated with inflammation (redness, swelling, etc.)
• disease

Question 27

what are the 3 types of immunological disease?

provide examples

Answer 27

(1) disease of the immune system
- e.g. aids
(2) disease on the immune system
- e.g. tuberculosis
(3) disease by the immune system
- e.g. allergies

Question 28

explain and AIDS infection

Answer 28

• caused by HIV

- HIV weakens the host’s adaptive immune system through the depletion of helper T cells increasing the risk of infection

Question 29

explain tuberculosis

Answer 29

• contageous, severe infection affecting the lungs

- caused by MTB (bacterial infection) that can ivade the host immune system

Question 30

explain allergies

Answer 30

form of hypersensitivity reaction that occurs when the body has an exaggerated immune response to a foreign agent that would normally cause little/no harm to most people