Non-specific Defence - Definitions Flashcards
Pathology
The study of disease
Immunology
The study of the way the body protects itself from disease. A relatively recent field.
Normal flora
Microorganisms in your body and on your skin that are naturally present.
Symbiosis
Close and long-term interaction between two different species.
Mutualism
When two or more organisms are living together and everyone is benefitting
Commensalism
When one organism benefits, and the other organism is not harmed.
Opportunistic pathogen
When a pathogen takes advantage of an opportunity not normally available and backstabs their symbiotic partnership.
Sporadic disease
Relatively uncommon in a population
Endemic disease
Relatively constant in a population
Local infection
Infection in a specific place in the body.
Systemic infection
Infection spread over multiple systems
Primary infection
First exposure with a pathogen
Secondary infection
Comorbidities.
Immune system
System of the body that protects us from pathogens. The immune system involves multiple organ systems. The immune system extends throughout the body.
Nonspecific defence systems
Innate immune system. Immune system of the body that is generic. It responds in the same way to all pathogens. It’s our first line of defense. It reacts quickly, but doesn’t have memory.
Avoidance
Anatomical barriers and behavioural barriers. Acts kind of like “primary healthcare”.
Resistance
Often requires action of the specific immune system. It reduces or eliminates pathogens from the body.
Effector mechanisms
Destroy, remove, clean up anything left behind from pathogens.
Tolerance
Body’s ability to withstand damage caused by pathogens.
White blood cells
Nucleated cells of the blood
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) aka pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells
Cells that are found in red bone marrow to produce white blood cells and red blood cells.
Neutrophils
Highly phagocytic and are mainly found in the blood stream and in the bone marrow. They make up 50 to 70% of circulating white blood cells. They’re usually the first white blood cell to find pathogens. They are very mobile, and move in and out of the bloodstream.
Eosinophils and Basophils
Less effectively phagocytic, and react mainly against large pathogens too big to be phagocytosed, in conjunction with the specific immune system. For example, they work against parasitic worms and protists.
Chemotaxis
Movement in response to chemical stimuli.
Substances that stimulate Chemotaxis are…
Microbial compounds, damaged cells, immune system proteins, and products of white blood cells.
Adherence
Attaching of white blood cells to some kind of material that needs to be digested.
Ingestion
Engulfment formation of a vacuole, bringing something into the cell.
Digestion
Hyperlytic breakdown of a substance.
The complement system
The complement system is a group of soluble proteins produced in the liver, that function sequentially to trigger the destruction of microorganisms.
Cytolysis
Proteins are activated which perforate the pathogen’s cell wall.
Opsinization
One of the complement proteins can bind to the surface of foreign cells and promote phagocytosis by enhancing adherence.
Interferons
Proteins produced by virally infected cells. They stimulate production of enzymes in unaffected neighbouring cells. The enzymes interfere with viral replication.
Histamine
An example of an enzyme that promotes inflammatory response. It dilates and expands the blood vessels and causes contraction of smooth muscle.
Cytokines
Chemical signals that trigger a very generalized response in cells.
Lymph node
Lymphoid organs that monitor the composition of lymph.
