Specific Immune Response Flashcards
What are antigens?
A substance that stimulates an immune response- usually foreign to host/organism
Usually protein- found on surface of foreign substances
Anything causing immune response
Unique to specific pathogen
What are self?
Cells and secretions of the body seen as non antigenic
What are non-self?
Substances seen as antigenic so the immune system destroys them
What does immunotolerance?
Recognition of self
What are the 2 main types of lymphocytes?
B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes
Where are B lymphocytes located?
Mature in bone marrow
Found in circulation and spleen
Where are T lymphocytes found?
Mature in thymus
Stored in lymph nodes, spleen and lymphoid tissue
What is the main function of B lymphocytes?
Produce antibodies
Humoral immunity
When activated, differentiate into plasma cells- produce specific antibodies against particular antigen
Antibodies bind with antigen, causing bacteria to clump together and causing its destruction
What are antibodies known as?
Immunoglobulins
What is the function of T lymphocytes?
Cell-mediated immunity
Recognise antigen when presented to them by a phagocyte
What are the 4 types of T lymphocytes?
1) memory T cells
2) killer T cells (cytotoxic)
3) helper T cells
4) suppressor T cells
What are the function of helper T cells?
Secrete chemicals- lymphokines
Help activate T killer cells, phagocytes and natural killer cells
Coordinating immune response
What is the function of cytotoxic T cells?
Directly kill foreign/infected cells
Release chemicals- lymphokines- promote phagocytosis
Won’t function unless bound to antigen/stimulated by helper T cells
What is the function of suppressor T cells?
Moderate immune response
Prevent IR getting out of control
What are the functions of memory T cells?
Remain in circulation to produce more rapid response when antigen next encountered
Don’t aid in destruction of antigen
