The Specific Immune Response Flashcards
What are b Lymphocytes responsible for
Producing antibodies which are protein molecules that are specific to an antigen
Sends out antibodies for a specific antigen
What is the purpose of an antibody
Can bind to s specific antigen to neutralise it.
Are present in the plasma and can bind to specific antigens free in bodily fluids or antigens on cells.
Free in the blood antigens e.g. toxins
What are T lymphocytes
Have specific receptors on their plasma membranes which are specific to antigens
T lymphocyte receptors can only bind to antigens present on a body cell. E.g. a body cell that has already been infected/host cell
Described to be apart of cell mediated immunity
What is clonal selection
When the B/T lymphocyte is found to fit the antigen of the pathogen or antigen presenting host cell.
Telling the complimentary lymphocyte to become active
What is direct contact
When the lu8mphocyte comes across the pathogenic cells in the lymph nodes
What is indirect contact
When the lymphocyte comes across an antigen presenting cell which phagocytosed the pathogen
What are the features of lymphocytes
- smaller than phagocytes
- large nucleus that almost fills the cell
- B cells made in bone marrow
- T cells made in thymus gland
What is the role of interleukins
Similar to cytokines
Bind specifically to the selected lymphocyte and cause it to divide by mitosis to produce lots of clones
What is clonal expansion
The increase of lymphocytes by mitosis division.
Triggered by interleukins/cytokines
To make an ‘army’ to fight the pathogens
What are the simplified stages of the specific immune response
1) Exposure
2) clonal selection
3) clonal expansion
4) differentiation
5) action
