the lymphatic system - unit 4 AOS 1

Question 1

the lymphatic system

Answer 1

• The lymphatic system is an interconnected network of lymphatic vessels that function as a transport network for the immune response

Question 2

functions of the lymphatic system

Answer 2

• transportation of antigen-presenting cells to secondary lymphoid tissues for antigen recognition and initiation of the adaptive immune response
• Production of primary lymphoid tissue which are components of the lymphatic system that are responsible for the production and maturation of lymphocytes. Includes bone marrow and the thymus
• Phagocytic leukocytes are transported within the blood to sites of infection (recruited by chemotactic factors released from local cells)

Question 3

primary lymphoid tissue

Answer 3

-The primary lymphoid organs consist of the bone marrow and thymus, whose collective function is to produce mature lymphocytes

• Bone marrow is the source of pluripotent stem cells, from which all the cells of the immune system (and other blood cells, such as red blood cells and platelets) originate. It is the site of maturation of B cells (unlike T cells, which mature elsewhere).
• T lymphocytes travel to the thymus to mature after being produced in the bone marrow. Therefore, depending on where a lymphocyte matures, it is possible to determine what type of lymphocyte it will be.

Question 4

secondary lymphatic tissues

Answer 4

• The secondary lymphoid organs include the spleen and lymph nodes, whose collective function is initiate an adaptive immune response
• Lymph nodes are a small secondary lymphoid tissue found throughout the body where antigen-presenting cells activate the adaptive immune system
• The spleen stores excess quantities of leukocytes (particularly monocytes), allowing for a more rapid response to pathogenic infection
• The lymph nodes contain high levels of lymphocytes and act as a filtration point where antigen presentation by monocytes can occur