Types of Immunity Flashcards
What is the primary response?
The first exposure to an antigen.
Individual will often display major symptoms.
Some sensitised B-cells become memory cells, remaining in the body for a period of time.
Low-affinity antibodies are produced.
What is the secondary response?
The second exposure to a previously-exposed antigen.
Individual is often asymptomatic.
Memory cells still circulating ensure faster immune response.
High affinity antibodies are produced.
What are the types of immunity? What are the types of exposure?
Immunity can be passive or active.
Exposure can be natural or artificial.
What is passive immunity?
Involves being given antibodies from another source or person.
There is no immune response, so no antibodies are produced.
Provides fast but short-lived immunity.
What is active immunity?
Involves being exposed to the antigen
Immune response is mounted, so antibodies are produced.
Provides slow but long-lasting immunity.
What is an example of natural passive immunity?
Antibodies enter bloodstream across placenta or through breastmilk.
What is an example of artificial passive immunity?
Antibodies are injected into bloodstream.
What is an example of natural active immunity?
Immune response is mounted in response to a disease. producing antibodies.
What is an example of artificial active immunity?
Vaccination provides body with antigens.
What are the two types of antibiotics?
Bactericidal and bacteriostatic.
When are antibiotics prescribed?
When an individual is suffering from a bacterial infection.
How do bactericidal antibiotics work?
Kill bacteria by changing the structure of the cell membrane and disrupting enzyme action.
(e.g. penicillin)
How do bacteriostatic antibodies work?
Disrupt protein synthesis.
e.g. erythromycin
How is antibiotic resistance caused by genetic mutation?
1) Bacteria are non-resistant
2) Bacteria multiply by the millions. Some mutate and become resistant.
3) Non-resistant bacteria are killed by antibiotics, while resistant bacteria survive
4) Resistant bacteria multiply by the millions.
How are drug-resistant bacteria combated?
1) developing new classes of antibiotics
2) reviving old antibiotics and combining them with other substances
3) genetically engineering bacteria to disable antibiotic-resistant genes
