Unit 1_The Immune System Flashcards
What system’s primary function is to eliminate infectious agents without attacking the body’s tissues?
The immune system
Mutations that inactivate the receptors or signaling molecules involved in innate immune recognition and mutations that render them active all the time are two general types of genetic alterations that could lead to what?
immunologic abnormalities
The first type of mutation can result in various types of what?
immunodeficiencies
The second type of mutation can trigger aberrant immune responses and contribute to a variety of conditions with what (e.g., asthma, allergy, arthritis, autoimmune diseases)?
inflammatory components
Which phase of immune response is when innate immune receptors bind to common molecular motifs on pathogens or antibodies that are bound to the invader? Adaptive immune recognition involves highly specific antigen receptors.
Recognition phase
Which phase of immune response involves complement cascades, the production of soluble factors (e.g., acute phase proteins, cytokines), and the recruitment of an army of cells (e.g., neutrophils) in the case of innate immunity? Amplification of adaptive immunity requires the proliferation of lymphocytes (T or B cells) and the differentiation of these cells into effectors. One antigen-activated lymphocyte replicates into an army of clones that all express the same antigen receptor.
Amplification phase
Which phase of immune response results in the removal of antigens by several different mechanisms (e.g., neutralization, lysis, phagocytosis, direct killing by cytotoxic T cells)?
Effector phase
Which phase of immune response dampens the immune system after the antigen has been cleared. This phase is critical for the prevention of excessive responses that may harm the host (e.g., tissue damage)?
Termination phase
Which phase of immune response involves the generation of long-lived T and B lymphocytes? These types of cells have a lower threshold for activation and will react more quickly and in an amplified fashion. It should be appreciated that although memory is maintained by adaptive immunity, it functionally involves both innate and adaptive responses.
Memory phase
What subsystem organization of the immune system includes:
- Monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, natural killer cells
- Granulocytes –> release enzymes to kill cells
Innate immune system
What subsystem organization of the immune system includes:
- Recognize antigens, produce antibodies, destroy cells
- B and T cells, or lymphocytes
- Agranulocytes –> adaptive immunity –> tag and kill cells
Adaptive immune system
What immune cells include the following:
Predominant leukocytes of blood originating from bone marrow
The number rises dramatically during times of infection/inflammation
- A decrease in the absolute number of these cells in the blood is the principal cause of susceptibility to infection
During phagocytosis, bacteria and debris are engulfed and digested
Neutrophils die after phagocytosis
- Accumulation of dead cells contributes to pus formation
Pathology example:
- Neutropenia: abnormally low level of neutrophils; can be caused by cancer treatments such as chemo/radiation therapy; Crohn’s disease; HIV; sepsis
Neutrophils
What immune cells are long living cells originating from bone marrow? In response to inflammation/infection, mature into macrophages.
Monocytes
What immune cells after phagocytosis, macrophages filter debris and kill any damaged but not dead bacteria (Clean up crew)? Also destroy aged red blood cells and dead neutrophils. After ingestion of bacteria, they create an antigen fragment (more on this later).
Macrophages
What pathology example of monocytes and macrophages is accumulation of fatty acids/cholesterol –> macrophage accumulation to retain plaques in endothelial walls –> can rupture and cause myocardial infarction /stroke?
Atherosclerosis
What immune cells include the following:
Leukocytes derived from bone marrow
Involved in allergic response and parasite infection
If invading organisms are too large for neutrophils/macrophages, eosinophils can engulf the pathogen and damage cell membrane
Contain:
- Histamines: vasodilator
- Heparin: anticoagulant
- Cytokines: see inflammation lecture
Eosinephila
What pathology example of Eosinopenia involves too much cortisol and too few eosinophils?
Eosinophilia (too many cells)
Increased inflammation –> colitis/ gastroenteritis; asthma, bronchitis
Cushing’s syndrome
What pathology example involves too many cells and increased inflammation –> colitis/ gastroenteritis; asthma, bronchitis?
Eosinophilia
What immune cells include the following:
Granulocytes
Involved in allergic response
- Granules contain histamines and other vasodilators (anti-histamines function here to reduce excessive response). Increased circulation leads to feelings of congestion with allergies
- Involved in wound healing/defense against invading pathogens. Increase blood supply where pathogens exists –> attract more phagocytes
Basophils and mast cells
What pathology example of Basophilia includes brittle hair, weight gain, constipation?
Hypothyroidism
What pathology example of Low basophil levels includes increased heart rate, blood pressure, weight loss?
Hyperthyroidism
What immune cells include movement and removal of antigens, antibodies, and are involved in the complement system?
Erythrocytes (red blood cells or RBCs)
What pathology example of Erythrocytes involves morphing of RBCs –> anemia; blockage of vessels d/t malformed RBCs?
Sickle cell disease
What immune cells are also known as platelets –> clotting?
Thrombocytes
