The Immune System And Fighting Disease Flashcards

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1
Q

Name non 4 specific defences that prevent pathogens from entering the body

A

Skin (acts as a physical bartrier and it it secretes oils e.g sebum that repules pathogens).

Stomach Acid - kills pathogens that make it far from the mouth from its low pH

Hair and mucus - trap pathogens

Tears in eyes - are antiseptic and mill pathogens

Platelets form scabs

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2
Q

How does the human body defence act against pathogens

A

The skin- Acts as a physical barrier, secretes sebum which is an oil like substance that repels pathogens.

Stomach Acid- hydrochloric acid creates a low pH that destroys pathogens in food or drink

Hair and mucus - produced by cells that line the trachea and bronchi) traps pathogens. Cilia help to then move the mucus and pathogens up and out the lungs

Tears in eyes - are antiseptic and contain chemicals to kill pathogens

Platelets- form scabs/clots to stop pathogens from entering

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3
Q

What is the role of the immune system

A

To locate and destroy pathogens that enter the body + any toxins they produce. The immune system also protects us incase the same pathogen invades us again in the future.

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4
Q

What type of cells help defend against pathogens and are the most important part of the immune system

A

White blood cells

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5
Q

What are the 3 main functions of white blood cells

A
  1. Phagocytosis
  2. Producing antibodies
  3. Producing antitoxins
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6
Q

Describe the process of phagocytosis in 1 sentence

A

Phagocytosis is the process by which a Phagocyte tracks a pathogen down, binds to them then engulfs and destroys them.

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7
Q

What are the steps of phagocytosis

A
  1. First, the phagoctye tracks down a pathogen and binds to it.
  2. The Phagocyte’s membrane will then surround the pathogen and engulf it.
  3. Finally enzymes inside the Phagocyte break down the pathogen in order to destroy it
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8
Q

What is an antigen

A

An antigen is any substance that your body sees as foreign, which thn causes your immune system to produce antibodies against it.

E.g. the toxins and cell walls of pathogens

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9
Q

White blood cells produce antitoxins.

What are antitoxins

A

Antitoxins are small proteins produced by white blood cells that bind and neutralise the toxins produced by bacteria so they can’t do any damage.

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10
Q

What Is the difference between an antigen and a antibody

A

An antigen is a substance that your body sees as foreign, which then causes your immune system to produce antibodies against it.

An antibody is however a protein produced by our white blood cells that bind to specific antigens. This acts as a signal to our immune system to destroy the antigen

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11
Q

What do antibodies bind to

A

Antibodies bind to antigens that have a complimentary shape

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12
Q

What is an antibody

A

Antibodies are proteins produced by white blood cells, that can lock on/ bind to the antigens and group them all together then act as signals to tell our white blood cells to come and destroy/engulf them all in one day2

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13
Q

2 features of antibodies

A

Antibodies are very specific e.g. if a person catches measles they will only develop anti body’s for the measles virus and not any other pathogen.

Secondly antibodies can remain in the blood for a very long time, this means they can protect us if we ever get infected again with the same pathogen

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