module 4 - 12.6 the specific immune system Flashcards

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1
Q

how is the specific immune system different to non-specific responses?

A
  • specific immune system is slower than non-specific
  • immune memory cells react much quicker if second invasion of same pathogen occurs
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2
Q

what are antibodies?

A

Y-shaped glycoproteins called immunoglobulins which bind to specific antigen on pathogen/toxin that has triggered immune response

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3
Q

what are antibodies made up of?

A
  • 2 identical polypeptide chains - heavy chains
  • 2 shorter identical chains - light chains
  • chains are held together by disulphide bridges & disulphide bridges within polypeptide holding its shape
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4
Q

why is the binding site known as the variable region?

A
  • binding site is area of 110 amino acids on both heavy and light chains
  • different shape on each antibody - specificity
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5
Q

why is the rest called the constant region?

A

rest of antibody molecule is always the same

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6
Q

what is formed when an antibody binds to antigen?

A

antigen-antibody complex

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7
Q

how do antibodies defend the body?

A
  1. antibody of antigen-antibody complex acts as opsonin so complex is easily engulfed & digested by phagocytes
  2. most pathogens cant invade hist cells once part of complex
  3. antibodies act as agglutinins, cause pathogens carrying complexes to clump together - helps prevent them spreading through body
    - antibodies can act as anti-toxins, binding to the toxins produced by pathogens
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8
Q

which white blood cells are involved in the immune response?

A
  • B lymphocytes - mature in bone marrow
  • T lymphocytes - mature in thymus gland
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9
Q

what are the main types of T lymphocytes?

A
  • T helper cells
  • T killer cells
  • T memory cells
  • T regulator/suppressor cells
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10
Q

what are T helper cells?

A
  • have receptors on cell-surface membranes what bind to surface antigens
  • produce interleukins - stimulate activity of B cells, increasing antibody production, attracts and stimulates macrophages
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11
Q

what are T killer cells?

A
  • destroy pathogens carrying antigen
  • produce chemical called perforin - kills pathogen by making holes in cell membrane so is freely permeable
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12
Q

what are T memory cells?

A
  • live for long time, part of immunological memory
  • if they meet antigen a second time, they divide rapidly to form a huge number of T killer cells and destroy pathogen
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13
Q

what are T regulator/suppressor cells?

A
  • suppress immune system, control & regulate it
  • stops immune response once pathogen has been eliminated
  • makes sure body recognises self-antigens and doesn’t set up autoimmune response
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14
Q

what are the main types of B lymphocytes?

A
  • plasma cells
  • B effector cells
  • B memory cells
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15
Q

what are plasma cells?

A

they produce antibodies to particular antigen and them release into circulation

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16
Q

what are B effector cells?

A

they divide to form the plasma clones

17
Q

what are B memory cells?

A
  • provide immunological memory
  • programmed to remember specific antigen & enable body to make rapid response when pathogen carrying that antigen is encountered again
18
Q

what happens during cell-mediated immunity?

A

(happens inside cells) - T lymphocytes respond to the cells of an organism that have been changed by antigen processing or by mutation

19
Q

what is the first stage of cell mediated immunity?

A
  • in non-specific defence system, macrophages engulf & digest pathogens in phagocytosis
  • they process antigens from surface of pathogen to form antigen-presenting cells
20
Q

what is the second stage of cell mediated immunity?

A
  • receptors in some of the T helper cells fit the antigens
  • T helper cells are activated & produce interleukins - stimulate more T helper cells to divide (mitosis)
  • form clones of identical activated T cells that carry correct antigen to bind to pathogen
21
Q

what 4 things may the clones T cells do

A
  • develop T memory cells which give rapid response if pathogen invades body again
  • produce interleukins that stimulate phagocytosis
  • produce interleukins that stimulate B cells to divide
  • stimulate development of clone T killer cells, specific for presented antigen then destroy infected cells
22
Q

what happens during humoral immunity?

A

body responds to antigens found outside the cells
- humoral immune system produces antibodies that are soluble in blood and tissue fluid & are not attached to cells

23
Q

where do B lymphocytes have antibodies?

A

on cell surface membrane

24
Q

what happens when a pathogen enters the body?

A
  • carries specific antigens
  • produces toxins that act as antigens
  • B cell with complemetary antibodies will bind to antigens on pathogen or free antigens
25
Q

what are the stages of humoral immunity?

A
  1. activated T helper cells bind to B cell - clonal selection
  2. interleukins produced by activated T helper cells activate the B cells
  3. activated B cell divides by mitosis, give clones of plasma & B memory cells - clonal expansion
  4. cloned plasma cells produce antibodies that fit antigens on surface of pathogen, bind to antigens and disable them - primary immune response
  5. some cloned B cells develop into B memory cells, is body infected by same pathogen again, memory B cells divide rapidly to form plasma cell clones - secondary immune response
26
Q

what is an autoimmune disease?

A

immune system stops recognising ‘self’ cells and starts to attack healthy body tissue

27
Q

what treatments are there for autoimmune diseases?

A

immunosuppressant drugs which prevent immune system working, may be used as treatments

28
Q

which part of the body is affected by Type 1 diabetes?

A

insulin secreting cells of the pancreas

29
Q

how is type 1 diabetes treated?

A
  • insulin injections
  • pancreas transplants
  • immunosupressant drugs
30
Q

which part of the body is affected by Rheumatoid arthritis?

A

joints

31
Q

what treatment is there for rheumatoid arthritis?

A
  • no cure
  • anti-inflammatory drugs
  • steroids
  • pain relief
32
Q

what part of the body is affected by lupus?

A
  • skin and joints and causes fatigue
  • can attack any organ in the body
33
Q

what treatment is there for lupus?

A
  • no cure
  • anti-inflammatory drugs
  • steroids