plasma_protein_system_flashcards

Question 1

Front

Answer 1

Back

Question 2

What are the three plasma protein systems involved in inflammation?

Answer 2

The complement, clotting, and kinin systems.

Question 3

What are the primary functions of the complement system?

Answer 3

The complement system enhances inflammation, aids in phagocytosis (opsonization), and forms the membrane attack complex (MAC).

Question 4

How is the complement system activated?

Answer 4

The complement system can be activated via the classical pathway, lectin pathway, or alternative pathway.

Question 5

What is the role of C3 in the complement system?

Answer 5

C3 is a central component of the complement system, and its activation produces C3a and C3b, which drive inflammatory responses.

Question 6

What is the function of C3a in inflammation?

Answer 6

C3a is an anaphylatoxin that induces mast cell degranulation, releasing histamine and promoting inflammation.

Question 7

What is the function of C3b in the immune response?

Answer 7

C3b acts as an opsonin, binding to pathogens and enhancing their phagocytosis, and activates the next step in the complement cascade.

Question 8

What is the role of C5a in inflammation?

Answer 8

C5a is a potent anaphylatoxin and a chemotactic factor that attracts neutrophils to sites of inflammation.

Question 9

What is the membrane attack complex (MAC) and how does it function?

Answer 9

The membrane attack complex (C5b-C9) forms pores in bacterial membranes, leading to cell lysis and death.

Question 10

How is the clotting system activated?

Answer 10

The clotting system is activated by the tissue factor (extrinsic) pathway or contact activation (intrinsic) pathway.

Question 11

What is the role of thrombin in the clotting system?

Answer 11

Thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin, leading to clot formation, and produces small fibrinopeptides (FPs) that are pro-inflammatory.

Question 12

What are fibrinopeptides (FPs) and their role in inflammation?

Answer 12

Fibrinopeptides (FPs) increase vascular permeability and act as chemotactic agents, attracting immune cells to the site of injury.

Question 13

How does the clotting system contribute to inflammation?

Answer 13

The clotting system contributes to inflammation by forming a physical barrier (clot) and releasing inflammatory mediators like FPs.

Question 14

What is the kinin system and what does it activate?

Answer 14

The kinin system activates bradykinin, which functions similarly to histamine in promoting inflammation.

Question 15

What is the function of bradykinin in inflammation?

Answer 15

Bradykinin increases vascular permeability, stimulates pain receptors, and causes vasodilation.

Question 16

How does the kinin system interact with the clotting system?

Answer 16

Factor XIIa from the clotting system activates kallikrein, which in turn activates bradykinin in the kinin system.

Question 17

What triggers the activation of kallikrein in the kinin system?

Answer 17

Kallikrein is activated by Factor XIIa in the clotting system and helps convert prekallikrein to kininogen.

Question 18

What is the role of factor XIIa in inflammation?

Answer 18

Factor XIIa plays a central role in both the clotting and kinin systems, linking them in the inflammatory response.

Question 19

How do the plasma protein systems work together to promote inflammation?

Answer 19

The complement, clotting, and kinin systems interact to amplify inflammation by increasing vascular permeability and recruiting immune cells.

Question 20

How do the complement system and kinin system affect vascular permeability?

Answer 20

Both the complement system (via C3a, C5a) and the kinin system (via bradykinin) increase vascular permeability during inflammation.

Question 21

What is the chemotactic role of complement fragments like C5a in inflammation?

Answer 21

Complement fragments like C5a serve as chemotactic factors that guide neutrophils to the site of inflammation.