Types of immunity+ opsonins, antitoxins+agglutinins- communicable diseases

Question 1

active immunity

Answer 1

-acquired when an antigen enters the body triggering a specific immune response (antibodies are produced)
-naturally acquired through exposure to microbes or artificially acquired through vaccinations
-body produces memory cells, along with plasma cells, in both types of active immunity giving the person long-term immunity
-secondary response after exposure much faster than primary response

Question 2

passive immunity + 2 types

Answer 2

-acquired without an immune response. Antibodies are not produced by the infected person
- passive immunity occurs either artificially or naturally
-artificial passive immunity=injection of antibodies
-natural passive=foetuses recieve antibodies through placenta. Colostrum, breast milk, gives a certain antibody

Question 3

opsonins

Answer 3

-Antibodies can attach to bacteria making them readily identifiable to phagocytes, this is called opsonisation. Once identified, the phagocyte has receptor proteins for the heavy polypeptide chains of the antibodies, which enables phagocytosis to occur

Question 4

agglutinins

Answer 4

Antibodies act as agglutinins causing pathogens carrying antigen-antibody complexes to clump together (agglutination). This reduces the chance that the pathogens will spread through the body and makes it possible for phagocytes to engulf a number of pathogens at one time

Question 5

anti toxins

Answer 5

Antibodies can act as anti-toxins by binding to toxins produced by pathogens (e.g. the bacteria that cause diphtheria and tetanus) which neutralises them making them harmless