Topic 11.1 Antibody Production & Vaccination Flashcards
What are antigens?
foreign molecules that trigger an immune response
(proteins or saccharides)
What is the immune system able to distinguish?
between foreign cells and the “self” based on the molecules found on a cell’s surface.
What do pathogens specialize in?
to infect a specific species (although others can cross species barriers)
What is zoonosis?
a pathogen that has evolved to able to cross the species barrier
What are examples of zoonosis?
Ebola
HIV
Spanish Flu
Rabies
West Nile Virus
What is determined by the antigens found on the surface of their red blood cells?
A person’s blood group
What does blood type A have?
Anti-B (Antibodies) in plasma; A antigen in red blood cells
What does blood type B have?
Anti-A (Antibodies) in plasma; B antigen in red blood cells
What does blood type AB have?
Antigens A and B but no antibodies
What does blood type O have?
Antibodies against A and B but not antigens
What occurs when there is a mismatch between donor blood and recipient?
an immune response called agglutination can occur. This destroys red blood cells and can cause blood coagulation.
What do macrophages do?
ingest pathogens and then ‘display’ antigens on
their cell membrane. (helps activate T cells)
What is a T lymphocyte?
have receptors that detect the antigen displayed
by the macrophage
What is activated by T lymphocytes?
B lymphocytes
What is clonal selection?
rapid production of antibody-specific B cells
What do B cells become after rapid multiplication?
Plasma cells
Memory cells
What are plasma cells?
B cells that secrete large amounts of antibodies
during an immune response (extensive rough ER)
What are plasma cells?
B cells that secrete large amounts of antibodies
during an immune response (extensive rough ER)
What are memory cells?
does not secrete antibodies
they remain in the body long after the infection
What is opsonization?
occurs when antibodies (opsonins) bind to and mark a pathogen for ingestion and elimination by phagocytes
What is the complement activation?
occurs when antibodies bind to a pathogen’s
surface and activates complement cascades
-can lead to opsonization and cell death via lysis.
How can we neutralize antibodies?
by binding to it and preventing its biological functions.
What is agglutination?
occurs when antibodies bind to pathogens and cause
them to clump together (via phagocytosis)
What is histamine?
a chemical released by white blood cells in response
to allergens or infections
What do Histamine molecules cause?
the blood vessels in the affected area to dilate, resulting in an increase in fluid flow (allergy symptoms)
What is immunity?
refers to an organism’s ability to resist an infection or disease.
What is active immunity?
immunity due to the production of antibodies by an organism after the body’s defense mechanisms has been stimulated by antigens.
What is passive immunity?
Antibodies that are formed in another body but passed down for short term use (ex. breast milk)
What is natural immunity?
results from natural exposure to an antigen
-the body produces its own antibodies
What is artificial immunity?
results when antibody production is induced by a
substance that contains an antigen (vaccine)
What does active immunity depend on?
the persistence of memory cells after an initial infection.
What are benefits of vaccinations?
-Allow for the eradication of some diseases (e.g. smallpox)
-Can prevent disabilities like those resulting from polio
-Spread of epidemics can be controlled
-Preventing disease is more cost-effective than treatment
What are potential dangers of vaccinations?
-Old vaccines contained mercury-based preservatives, which act as a neurotoxin
-Social bias against them because they ‘overload’ the immune system
-There are cases of vaccinations leading to allergic reactions and autoimmune responses.
What is smallpox?
the first infectious disease to have been eradicated by vaccinations.
What did the World Health Assembly pass in 1959?
a resolution to eradicate smallpox.
-Governments and organizations from around the world cooperated to implement vaccination programs.
What was the eradication of smallpox an example of?
the ability of intergovernmental organizations to address global health concerns.
What is epidemiology?
the study of the distribution & causes of diseases in populations. By monitoring spreads, potential harm caused by outbreaks can be minimized.
