Vaccination Flashcards
What is an antigen?
A protein that is on the surface of all cells which helps the immune system recognise foreign cells in the body.
What is an antibody?
A specific protein that is produced by white blood cells in response to an antigen.
Describe how the immune system works:
The pathogen enters and its antigen is detected by the immune system as a foreign substance as its antigen is different. This stimulates the immune system, as it sends white blood cells to the area where they produce antibodies to join up with the antigen, deactivating it. Special white blood cells (memory cells) remember the specific type of antibody that worked to deactivate/ destroy the pathogen making it easier and quicker for the body to generate the correct antibody for the specific pathogen as it now has defence systems in its blood.
Describe how a vaccine works:
A inactive pathogen is inserted into the body through a needle. This triggers the immune system to send white blood cells to produce antibodies to deactivate the specific type of pathogen, as the pathogen is inactive it is weak and easily destroyed by the antibodies, therefore doesn’t make the patient as sick to its potential. As the memory cells remember what specific antibody worked for which pathogen, it stores this information in the blood flow, meaning the body now has defences against that specific pathogen.
