Non-specific Immune Responces

Question 1

What is immunology?

Answer 1

The study of the immune system

Question 2

The immune system consists of a collection of what?

Answer 2

Cells and molecules in the blood and in organs and tissues around body

Question 3

What are the main functions of the immune system?

Answer 3

1) protect body against infection from microbes
2) destroys non living matter (dust)
3) remove old and damaged cells from the body

Question 4

Features of a good defence system?

Answer 4

Provision of physical barriers Eg viruses and ability to detect cells which are infected

Question 5

What is the specific immune system?

Answer 5

Built up over time

Question 6

What is the non specific immune system?

Answer 6

Present at birth

Question 7

Which cell is considered to be part of the non specific immune system response?

Answer 7

Natural killer cell

Question 8

What is a mechanical barrier?

Answer 8

A mucous membrane lining the airways

Question 9

What is a chemical barrier?

Answer 9

Destroy pathogens on the outer body surface, at body openings, and on inner body linings

Question 10

Tears contain a chemical which acts as a barrier and is part of the non specific immune system. This chemical is a protein that can destroy bacteria. What is this name of this protein?

Answer 10

Lysosomes

Question 11

What is phagocytosis?

Answer 11

Process where cells of the immune system recognise, engulf and digest foreign cells and particles

Question 12

Examples of phagocytes?

Answer 12

1) neutrophils

2) macrophages

Question 13

What is an opsonins?

Answer 13

An antibody/substance which binds to foreign microorganisms or cells making them more susceptible to phagocytosis

Question 14

What is an interferon?

Answer 14

A protein interferes with viral replication

Question 15

What is an iron binding protein?

Answer 15

These inhibit microbial growth by reducing the amount of iron available to certain bacteria

Question 16

Give an example of an abnormal cell that natural killer cells destroy?

Answer 16

1) bacterial cell
2) virally infected cell
3) tumour cell

Question 17

What is inflammation?

Answer 17

A tissue responds that prevents the spread of infectious agents into nearby tissues

Question 18

As a result from trauma, chemicals such as histamine are released from mast cells, these chemicals have numerous effects, such as?

Answer 18

Increased blood flow to infected area which will bring more white blood cells and bring more heat

Question 19

What are signs and symptoms of inflammation?

Answer 19

Redness, swelling, heat and pain