Module 1 Flashcards
Commensal microorganisms
microorganisms that are harmless or beneficial
Pathogenic microorganisms
microorganisms that can cause a disease state
normal functions of the immune system
Eliminate & Discriminate
Discriminate function
recognize self from non-self
Eliminate Function
Destroy non-self (pathogen) and altered self cells (eg. cancer)
dysfunctions of the immune system
-Autoimmunity & Hypersensitivity
-Immunodeficiency
Autoimmunity & Hypersensitivity
Misdirect or overly active immune system
Immunodeficiency
Underactive immune system (AIDS)
define antigen
foregin protein that induces an immune response, typically including production of antibodies (antibody generator)
define antibody
a protein that is produced in response to, and countering, a specific antigen
**antibodies bind to foreign substances (antigens) and provide a signal for their elimination
which systems create an efficent filtering system
circulatory, lymphatic and immune
major lymphoid organs
-thymus
-bone marrow
-liver
-lymphatic system
-spleen
what is the immune system made up of
tissues, organs and specialized cells
Lymphatic system
network of vessels that drains fluid (lymph), that filtrated from the blood in the capillaries and entered the surrounding tissues (interstitial space)
Circulatory System
- where the lymph comes from and goes to after being filtered
-the lymphatic vessels pick up the lymph and carry it toward the heart where it reenters the circulatory system
Immune System
-cells of the immune system travel between the circulatory and lymphatic systems
-some immune cells reside in tissues and can directly interact with antigens (following breach of 1st immune barrier)
-other cells travel in the blood to infection site where they enter tissues and bind antigen, then enter lymphatic system and travel to lymph nodes where antigens are eliminated
lymphoid organs purpose
act as sites for immune cell generation, training, and/or sites of action
bone marrow structure
-flexible tissue
-2 types: yellow and red
-filled with hematopoietic cells
bone marrow location
central cavity inside bones
bone marrow function (RED)
-important for immune system
-site of hematopoiesis (origin of all immune cells)
-site of b-cell development
bone marrow function (YELLOW)
-some leukocyte development
-produces fat and cartilage
lymph nodes structure
-small, bean shaped, numerous
-divided into 3 concentric regions
-filled with lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells
3 concentric regions of lymph nodes
cortex, paracortex and medulla
lymph nodes location
grouped along the lymphatic vessels
lymph nodes function
-filters lymph
-1st organized lymphoid structure that foreign molecules enter
Spleen structure
-large, oval
-divided into 2 compartments: white and red pulp
Spleen Location
-left abdomen
Spleen Function
RED Pulp
- filters blood
WHITE Pulp
- site of development of immune responses against antigens found in blood stream
white pulp
-filled with macrophages, lymphocytes, T-cells, B-cells and red blood cells
-important compartment of the spleen as it is made of lymphatic tissue filled with immune cells
Red pulp
composed of cords of Billroth ( fibrils and CT cells with monocytes and macrophages) and splenic sinuses that are filled with blood
MALT (mucosal associated lymphoid tissues) structure
-combined Sa of various areas in the body (BALT, GALT, lamina propria, peyers patches, tonsils and appendix)
-filled with various types of immune cells depending on location
MALT Location
mucous membranes lining the digestive, respiratory, and urogenetial systems
MALT function
initiates immune responses to specific antigens encountered along all mucosal surfaces
Thymus Structure
-flat
-bi-lobed (each lobe is divided into lobules which have 2 compartments; the medulla and cortex)
-filled with thymocytes, epithelial cells, dendritic cells and macrophages
Thymus Location
Superior to the heart
Thymus Function
site of t cell development and maturation
