unit 7 (specific adaptive immunity) Flashcards
adaptive immunity defined by two characteristics
specificity and memory
specificity definition
refers to the adaptive immune system’s ability to target specific pathogens
memory definition
refers to adaptive immune system’s ability to quickly respond to pathogens to which it has been previously exposed
primary response definition
immune system’s first exposure to a pathogen or vaccine
secondary response definition
subsequent exposure to pathogen that is faster and stronger as a result of the body’s memory of the first exposure
adaptive specific immunity involves two distinct cell types:
B lymphocytes (B cells) and T lymphocytes (T cells)
B cells mature in ___ and are responsible for ___
mature in bone marrow and are responsible for production of glycoproteins called antibodies or immunoglobulins
humoral immunity definition
mechanisms of the adaptive specific immunity that involve B cells and antibody production
T cells mature in ___ and are responsible for ___
mature in the thymus and are responsible for destruction of cells with intracellular pathogens and orchestration of both innate and adaptive immune responses
cellular immunity (cell-mediated) definition
immunity involving the targeting and destruction of intracellular pathogens by T cells
antigen definition
pathogen-specific molecular structures that trigger activation of adaptive immune defenses
antigenic definition
a molecule that stimulates antibody production
antigen belong to what macromolecule
carbs, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and combinations of these molecules
most effective and potent antigen
proteins are capable of stimulating both humoral and cellular immunity
epitopes definition
very specific smaller exposed regions on the surface of antigens where antibodies bind
haptens
molecules that are too small to be antigens themselves, essentially free epitopes
antibodies are __ and present in __
glycoproteins and present in blood and tissues fluids
antibody structure
four chains held together by disulfide bonds, two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains formed into Y shape
Fab region (of antigen)
two arms of Y shaped antibody molecule
Fab stands for
fragment of antigen binding
variable region
far end of the Fab region which serves as the site of antigen binding
binding to the Fab region is necessary for
neutralization of pathogens, agglutination or aggregation of pathogens, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity
constant region
includes trunk of Y and lower portion of each arm of the Y
Fc region
trunk of the Y, site of complement factor binding and binding to phagocytic cells during antibody-mediated opsonization