Non-specific Responses to Infection

Question 1

antigens

Answer 1

glycoproteins or carbohydrates on the surface of cells, toxins produced by bacterial and fungal pathogens, and some whole viruses and bacteria that are recognised by white blood cells during the specific immune responses to infection; they stimulate the production of an antibody

Question 2

leucocytes

Answer 2

white blood cells which are larger than erythrocytes and can squeeze through tiny blood vessels as they can change their shape; there are several different types which can carry out different functions in the body

Question 3

granulocytes

Answer 3

leucocytes with granules that absorb stain in the cytoplasm of the cells; this makes them visible under the microscope; they have lobed nuclei and are involved in the non-specific responses to infection

Question 4

neutrophils

Answer 4

the most common type of leucocyte; they engulf and digest pathogens by phagocytosis

Question 5

eosinophils

Answer 5

leucocytes important in the non-specific immune response against parasites, in allergic reactions and inflammation, and in developing immunity to diease

Question 6

basophils

Answer 6

leucocytes with a two-lobed nucleus; they produce histamines involved in inflammation and allergic reactions

Question 7

agranulocytes

Answer 7

leucocytes with round nuclei but without granules in their cytoplasm; they are involved in the specific immune response to infection

Question 8

monocytes

Answer 8

the largest of the leucocytes, they can pass from the blood into the tissues to form macrophages

Question 9

macrophages

Answer 9

cells that engulf pathogens by phagocytosis as part of the specifc immune system

Question 10

lymphocytes

Answer 10

small leucocytes with very large nuclei that are vitally important in the specific immune response of the body; they make up the main cellular components of the immune system; they are made in the white bone marrow of the long bones

Question 11

inflammation

Answer 11

a common, non-specific response to infection involving the release of histamines from mast cells and basophils; this causes the blood vessels to dilate producing local heat, redness and swelling

Question 12

mast cells

Answer 12

cells found in the connective tissue below the skin and around blood vessels; the release histamines when the tissue is damaged

Question 13

histamines

Answer 13

chemicals released by the tissues in response to an allergic reaction

Question 14

antibodies

Answer 14

glycoproteins that are each produced in response to a specific antigen

Question 15

fever

Answer 15

a raised body temperature, often in response to infection

Question 16

phagocytosis

Answer 16

the process by which a cell engulfs another cell and encloses it in a vesicle to digest it

Question 17

phagocyte

Answer 17

a cell which engulfs and digests other cells or pathogens

Question 18

phagosome

Answer 18

the vesicle in which a pathogen is enclosed in a phagocyte

Question 19

cytokines

Answer 19

molecules which signal between cells; they have several roles in the immune system, including stimulating other phagocytes to move to the infection site

Question 20

interferons

Answer 20

chemicals produced by cells in very small amounts when invaded by viruses; interferons act to prevent the viruses invading other cells