The Adaptive Immune Response Flashcards
Adaptive immunity
Specificity and memory
Specificity
B and T cells are activated depending on their ability to respond to
the current infection
Memory
lymphocytes will “recall” their first encounter with a pathogen and
respond rapidly to subsequent encounters
Humoral immunity
Mediated by B cells (B lymphocytes)
Cell-mediated immunity
Involves T cells (T lymphocytes)
B-cell receptors
bind free antigens
receptors mature into antibodies
T-cell receptors
bind processed antigens presented to them by other cells
help activate other leukocytes
B cells
stay in the bone marrow
to mature
T cells
mature in the thymus
Maturation:
Developing receptors to recognize specific antigens
Opsonization
process of coating microorganisms or other particles with specific
antibodies so they are more readily recognized by phagocytes
Neutralization
Antibodies coat the surface of microbes or toxins released by
microbes to prevent them from entering cells
T-Cell Receptor
Remains on the T cell surface
Does not get released
2 parallel protein chains
Antigens
not a normal constituent of the body
Lymphatic capillaries
permeate all
parts of the body except the CNS,
bone, placenta, and thymus
Lymph Nodes
Small organs distributed throughout the lymphatic system, Contain lymphocytes organized into
specific locations
Afferent vessels
deliver lymph fluid carrying
antigens and pathogens from tissues.
efferent vessel
Cleared lymph exits through
Cytotoxic T cells (TC)
destroy foreign or abnormal cells by lysing them
T helper cells (TH)
help activate immune responses, including other T and B cells
Artificial Passive Immunity
Can be used to replace antibodies in immunodeficient patients, Protection length varies, Person’s immune system is not activated
Artificial Active Immunity
deliberately exposing a person to material that is antigenic but not pathogenic
inactivated
Killed whole pathogens
attenuated
Live, but weakened
