The lymphatic system Flashcards

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1
Q

Functions of Blood

A

Transport: Oxygen, CO2, nutrients, waste products, hormones.
Homeostasis: Regulates body temperature, fluid balance, pH.
Protection: Provides clotting factors, carries antibodies against invaders.

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2
Q

Blood Components: Plasma

A

Plasma (~55%)
Proteins, Albumins, Water, Globulins, Fibrinogens

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3
Q

Blood Components: Cells

A

Cells (~45%)
* RBC
* erythrocytes
* WBC
* leukocytes
* Platelets

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4
Q

Hemoglobin

A
  • heme = iron globin = protein
  • Pigment in RBC that increases its ability to carry oxygen
  • Anemia: A deficiency in hemoglobin or RBC decreases oxygen delivery to tissue.
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5
Q

Red Blood Cells: Erythrocytes

A

Function: Carry oxygen.
Shape changes when theres low oxygen and provides 20%-30% more surface area for gas exchange.
Lifespan of ~3 months
Lack a nucleus, preventing reproduction.
Come from stem cells in bone marrow.
Men typically have higher RBC counts than women.
Higher altitude living correlates with increased RBC counts.

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6
Q

White Blood Cells: Leukocytes

A

Less abundant compared to red blood cells.
Possess a nucleus, enabling reproduction.
Produced in bone marrow and modified by lymph nodes.
Pus is leftover proteins from WBCs
Produce antibodies to neutralize and stop infection

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7
Q

Platelets

A
  • No nucleus
  • Irregularly shaped
  • Produced by the bone marrow
  • Very fragile and will rupture if they strike a sharp edge
  • Initiate blood clotting reactions
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8
Q

Blood Clotting Steps

A
  1. When encountering a rough surface platelets release thromboplastin
  2. Thrombo
  3. Thrombin converts fibrinogen into fibrin.
  4. Fibrin forms a mesh-like structure, sealing the cut with a clot.
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9
Q

When Blood Clotting Goes
Wrong

A
  1. Thrombus, a blood clot forming within a vessel, stopping oxygen and nutrients, may cause a brain stroke or cause the heart a coronary artery clot.
  2. Embolus, a dislodged clot that causes different embolisms
  3. Hemophilia, clotting chemicals.
  4. Deep Vein Thrombosis, blood clots forming in deep veins, like legs, causing pain, swelling, and engorged veins.
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10
Q

Antigen

A
  • Special protein markers found on the surface of cells.
  • Any Substance that causes the body to make an immune response against that substance
  • Function: Antigens allow your body to create a defense against future invaders
  • Examples include Toxins, Chemicals, Bacteria, & Viruses
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11
Q

Antibody

A

Produced by B-lymphocytes, recognize and neutralize foreign substances.
They circulate in the blood, targeting bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
Their role is pivotal in immune defense, as they identify and attack specific antigens.
Upon re-exposure to the same antigen, antibodies trigger a rapid and potent immune response.

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12
Q

Lymph

A

Made up of interstitial fluid containing WBC and either colorless or pale yellow.

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13
Q

Hemolytic Disease of the
Newborn

A
  • Occurs when the father is Rh+ and the mother is Rh-
  • Can cause hemolytic anemia in the newborn
    Thanks to modern medicine the mother can now be given a shot of Rh immunoglobin that prevents the production of antibodies
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14
Q

The Lymphatic System

A

o A network of vessels and nodes (glands) closely associated with the capillaries of the cardiovascular system
o Vessels collect a clear fluid called lymph, which is similar to the composition of blood plasma (“interstitial fluid”)
o Lymph helps to maintain the balance of fluids in the body, bathing cells in interstitial fluid, as it mixes with general blood circulation.

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15
Q

Role of the Lymphatic System

A
  1. Maintain Fluid Balance – Collect and return leaked proteins and interstitial fluid to the blood to maintain blood volume. Plasma (exiting capillaries) and interstitial fluid can enter vessels of the lymphatic system in the form of lymph.
  2. Transport Lipids – specialized lymph capillaries in intestines disperse digested fats. Absorb lipids from the intestine and transport them to the blood (lacteals)
  3. Protect Against Infection – Defend the body against disease by storing white blood cells in lymph nodes. Lymphocytes and macrophages are located in lymph nodes (glands).
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16
Q

Lymph Nodes

A
  • Contain white blood cells that filter lymph
  • Located around the body (neck, armpits, abdominal region & groin)
  • Contain phagocytic WBCs that trap and destroy bacteria
  • Also filter out damaged cells and debris in the lymph
  • Store lymphocytes (WBC that produces antibodies)
  • Swell when working extra hard – sore throat – lymph nodes in neck swell (tonsils). Infections lead to an increase in the number of macrophages
17
Q

The Defence System

A

*There are three ways your body resists harm from pathogens:
1. Physical and Chemical Barriers
2. Non-specific defences
3. Specific defences

18
Q

Innate Immunity

A

*Present at birth
*Immediate response to a pathogen
*First and second line of defense
*General and non-specific

19
Q

Barriers

A

-First Line of Defence
*Stomach acid, Eyelashes & tears, Cili a, skin
* Physical barriers – eyelashes, cilia in the respiratory tract, hairs in the nose, etc.
* Chemical barriers – mucous, tears and saliva (lysozyme), stomach acid, perspiration, etc.
* Skin – a hostile environment for microorganisms
* Outer layer – dry, thick, indigestible keratin
* Oil contains bactericides
* Sweat is acidic and contains lysozyme

20
Q

Non-Specific Defences
(Second Line of Defence)

A

Neutrophils
*1st to arrive
*Are phagocytic
*engulf and destroy harmful pathogens. Monocytes (become macrophages)
* 2nd to arrive
* devour pathogens, dead tissue and dead neutrophils
*accumulation of pus

21
Q

Phagocytosis

A

*Ingestion of invading microbes by certain WBCs

22
Q

2nd Line (non-specific) – Inflammatory Response

A
  • Tissue damage due to physical injury  inflammatory response
  • results in swelling, heat, and pain
  • Histamine is released:
  • capillaries to swell and leak (vasodilation),
  • phagocytes/WBC go to the wound
  • redness and swelling
  • Clues to second line of defence:
  • Pus
  • Inflammation
23
Q

Fever

A

-example of system-wide response to infection
* Neutrophils and macrophages digest invaders
* Release chemicals
*Reach hypothalamus
*Reset body temperature to about 37OC
* Fever makes it difficult for harmful bacteria to survive
* Fevers  37OC can be unsafe
*Enzymes start to denature

24
Q

Adaptive Immunity

A
  • Built up as we are exposed to diseases or vaccines
  • Delayed response to a specific antigen
  • Third line of defense
  • Specific and has memory
25
Q

Specific Defences
(Third Line of Defence)

A

Antibodies specific to different pathogens are generated AFTER white blood cells destroy said pathogens through phagocytosis
o Over time, exposure to various foreign substances leads to the development of an immune system unique to each individual.

26
Q

Specific Defences (T cells)

A

After the macrophage has engulfed the pathogen, the pathogen’s antigens move to the macrophages membrane
T-cells
Helper T-cells analyze pathogens after they have been broken down by phagocytes and recruit B-cells to help identify the foreign particles.
Types of T cells:
* Helper T Cells
* Killer T Cells
* Suppressor T cells
* Memory T cells

27
Q

Helper T cells

A

Recognize foreign antigen > chemical signals released > Stimulates more macrophages, B cells, and T cells.
Clonal Selection
* Process that produces an army of B and T cells to fight infections
* The presence of an antigen will trigger this process

28
Q

Killer T cells

A

Recognize foreign antigen on infected cells and/or cancerous cells > Bind, puncture and destroy infected cells (lysis) Specific Defences (Killer T cells )

29
Q

Suppressor T cells

A
  • Suppressor T-cells monitor killer T-cells to make sure they do not destroy healthy tissues.
  • Ends immune response and inhibits other T and B cells.
30
Q

Memory T cells

A

Do not respond on first exposure, but remain in the blood for a future invasion.
* Keeps record of the antigens on the invading particle for a quicker response.

31
Q

Specific Defences (B cells )

A
  • Where they become activated and divided into two different types of B-cells:
  • Memory B-cells and
  • Plasma cells
32
Q

Plasma Cells

A

Produce antibodies that recognize and attach to the antigens of specific pathogens
○ Essentially slowing the pathogen down and marking it for destruction by phagocytes.
○ Antibodies remain in the bloodstream so that the next time the pathogen enters the bloodstream, phagocytes can quickly destroy it. After the infection is gone, stays in the blood ready for the next attack à cellular immunity!

33
Q

Memory B-cells

A

Display antibodies (proteins) that match the antigens (proteins) presented by that particular pathogen.
They remain in the bloodstream so that if they ever encounter that pathogen again, they can quickly call a phagocyte to the scene

34
Q

The Actual Immune Response

A
  1. Pathogen enters the body
  2. Macrophages, neutrophils, and basophils are non-specific cells that kill invading bacteria
  3. Helper T cells recognize invaders and send a message to B cells to start making antibodies
  4. B cells make antibodies
  5. Antibodies attach to bacteria/viruses and immobilize it
  6. If it is bacteria, macrophages will come along and engulf it (phagocytosis)
  7. If a virus, it will be found within a cell of the body (host). The killer T cells recognize it and kill the cell and virus
  8. Macrophages come along and clean up the dead cells, viruses, and dead bacteria
  9. Suppressor T cells inhibit the T and B cells when the threat has been killed
  10. Memory T and B cells keep a record of the antigen and these cells live for decades.
  11. Next time the same pathogen is encountered, the immune response will be even quicker because of Memory B and T cells.
35
Q

Immunization

A
  • Based on principle of providing antibodies against specific antigens
  • The injection of a “deactivated” harmless form of a virus or a dead virus. Contains antigen markers on the cells surface but can’t replicate
  • Body detects the antigen and launches an immune response. Helper T-cells recruit B-cells to produce antibodies against the antigens. The antibodies then make it so you can fight against the pathogen’s antigen.
  • Many require booster shots because the antibodies break down over time
36
Q

Allergies

A
  • exaggerated immune response to harmless material. Occur when immune system mistakenly recognizes harmless foreign particles as serious threats
  • Two types:
  • Acute – within seconds; antibodies trigger release of histamines à swelling, watery eyes, runny nose
  • anaphylaxis
  • Delayed – slower, but lasts longer; triggered by
    memory T cells E.g. Cosmetics, jewellery
37
Q

AIDS

A
  • Caused by the HIV
    -Specifically targets and kills T-cells prevents the immune system from working
    properly
    -HIV itself doesn’t kill you it cripples your immune system.
38
Q

Immune Disorders

A
  • Mononucleosis – excess number of lymphocytes caused by the Epstein-Barr virus
  • Leukemia – a form of cancer characterized by excessive uncontrolled production of high levels of poorly developed white blood cells
39
Q

Autoimmune disorders

A
  • when T cells or antibodies mistakenly attack the body’s own cells.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis – chronic, inflammation of the joint linings
  • Celiac Disease - eating gluten triggers an immune response in your small intestine. Over time, this reaction damages your small intestine’s lining and prevents it from absorbing some nutrients (malabsorption). The intestinal damage often causes diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating and anemia, and can lead to serious complications.
  • Type 1 Diabetes – body destroys insulin-producing cells in
    the pancreas