WEEK 5 Flashcards
What are the 2 forms of defence? Describe them.
- INNATE = the first line of defence. NOT improved on further exposure 2. ADAPTIVE = second line of defence. Improved on further exposure
What physical & biochemical barriers does the innate defence include?
- PHYSICAL: barriers such as skin & epithelia, movement by cilia & trapping by mucus 2. BIOCHEMICAL: low pH such as sweat, vaginal secretions & stomach; lysozyme in secretions damage the cell walls of bacteria
If barriers are breached, what does the innate defence do?
It attempts to contain & localise the breach by sending phagocytic cells to DESTROY microbes
What chemicals are involved in the innate response? Describe them. (HINT: there’s 4)
- ACUTE PHASE PROTEINS: (secreted by the liver) e.g. CRP is an indicator of inflammatory response. It binds to certain phospholipids when cells are damaged to aid opsonisation 2. COMPLEMENT PROTEINS: increase permeability of vessels & start opsonisation e.g. C3b 3. INTERFERONS: limit viral replication in cells. They are proteins that are released in response to the entry of a virus. that have the property of inhibiting viral replication. IFN alpha & beta are released by most cells of the body, whereas gamma is only produced by T lymphocytes 4. CYTOKINES
What is an (i) antigen (ii) antibody?
(i) a toxin or other foreign substance that indices an immune response in the body (ii) a blood protein produced in response to, & counteracting, a pecific antigen. Haas 2 specific binding sites called Fab & a stem Fc that binds to receptors OR triggers complement which goes on to lyse, act as a chemotactic agent & as an opsonin
Describe (i) chemotaxis (ii) opsonisation.
(i) chemical signal to attract phagocytes. Is enhanced by complement proteins (ii) process of coating cell/bacteria with an opsonin. An opsonin is a substance that coats cell/bacteria & enhances the ability of phagocytes to phagocytose a particle
Define the various failures of the immune response? Giving examples also
Can occur through hypersensitivity, immunodeficiency, autoimmunity. The latter is when the immune system reacts to its self, with a loss of tolerance e.g. type 1 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis
Relate immunology to development in the womb of the foetus.
The foetus gains IgG from the other which increases in concentration until birth. At this point, the newborn starts to quickly synthesise his/her own IgG IgM & IgA begin to creep up in numbers, just before & after birth respectively Oestrogen stimulates IgG & IgA production & secretion in the mother, oestrogen inhibits T cells which could reject the foetus
List the structures of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Oral cavity (mandible, maxilla, lips, cheeks, tongue, floor of mouth, palate, fauces, tonsils) 2. Pharynx, oesophagus & stomach 3. Peritoneum & mesenteries 4. Small Intestine (Duodenum, jejunum, ileum) 5. Large intestine (Caecum with appendix, ascending, transverse, descending & sigmoid colon) 6. Rectum & Anal Canal 7. Liver & Biliary system 8. Pancreas
What are the boundaries of the oral cavity?
Maxilla Teeth Mandible (with body & ramus)
Describe the temporomandibular joint, what movement of this joint is made to OPEN the mouth?
TMJ is divided into 2 cavities by a disc The mouth is opened by protrusion & depression
Describe (i) Cheek & lips (ii) Floor of the mouth (iii) Hard Palate (iv) Soft Palate
(i) muscles of facial expression; buccinator, orbicularis oris, lip & angle elevators & depressors. They keep food in the mouth & between the teeth, speech formation. (ii) muscular ‘diaphragm’ suspended between the mandible & hyoid bone. It forms a mobile support for the tongue (iii) assists in bolus formation & separation from the nasal cavity (iv) hangs like a curtain at the back of the mouth to STOP food falling into the pharyns & larynx whilst chewing; tenses & elevates to separate naso from oropharynx during swallowing
Describe the tongue, mentioning its function, the main muscle for movement, its epithelium, the papillae & lymph drainage.
Is a bag of muscle for manipulating food & forming speech. Genioglossus is the main muscle (extrinsic) for movement of the tongue. There’s also intrinsic (shape) & extrinsic (position) muscles) Epithelium = stratified squamous Superior part of the tongue is made furry by papillae, forms & then pushes bolus backwards to be swallowed Drains lymph to the submandibular lymph nodes & inferior deep cervical nodes. Drainage from the tongue crosses the midline, increasing the significance of lung cancer.
What is the function of (i) the palatoglossal arches (ii) tonsils ?
(i) separate the oral cavity from the oropharynx & the tonsils lie BEHIND them (ii) Clusters of lymphocytes around an invagination of overlying epithelium
What is the function of the salivary glands? List the 3 types & their supply.
Commence digestion, lubricate food & maintain healthy teeth & gums - parotid, submandibular, sublingual - receive a parasympathetic, secretomotory supply
What is the course of air & food through the pharynx?
Pharynx connects the oral cavity to the oesophagus. Food AND fluid must pass from the oropharynx to laryngopharynx to the oesophagus, NOT to the nasopharynx (hence elevation of soft palate) NOR to the airway (hence elevation & closure of larynx) - there’s 3 constrictors to squeeze bolus towards the oesophagus, elevators to LIFT pharynx to receive bolus; whilst simultaneously laryngeal elevation for closure & airway protection during swallowing
Describe the functional anatomy of the oesophagus.
contains a physiological cardiac sphincter to PREVENT gastric reflux located in the posterior mediastinum (ie behind heart) Lower oesophagus = site of porto systemic anastomosis & portal hypertension, may cause oesophageal varices
What is the relation of the gut to the peritoneum?
Intra & retro peritoneal structures The mesentery = the neurovascular supply
Describe the blood supply of the GI tract.
Supplied by 3 branches that are anterior branches of the aorta: - coeliac trunk to FOREGUT (lower oesophagus, stomach, duodenum) - sup. mesenteric to MIDGUT (duodenum to 2/3 transv colon) - inf. mesenteric to HINDGUT (final 1/3 of transv colon to prox anal canal)
What is referred pain? Describe referred pain within the GI tract.
Autonomic nerves run with 3 arteries &, as our brain cannot localise visceral pain, the localisation instead occurs at the overlying parietal peitoneum: - coeliac trunk: refer to UPPER ABDOMEN - sup. mesenteric: refer to PERI UMBILLICAL region - inf. mesenteric: refer to SUPRAPUBIC region
Describe the anatomy & the blood supply of the stomach.
Is a distensible sac which holds food whilst it is being digested Pylorus = muscular sphincteric ring that opens under parasympathetic control to allow the chyme to pass into the duodenum The stomach is completely lined by simple columnar mucus secreting epithelium, there’s also gastric glands that produce acid & digestive enzymes - Supplied by an anastomotic ring of BVs derived from the coeliac trunk, which also supplies the liver & spleen
What is the function of fibroblasts?
Synthesise collagen, elastin & proteoglycans
Describe (i) collagen (ii) elastin (iii) proteoglycans.
(i) synthesised in RER. Assembled to form a triple helix which is released via the secretory pathway (ii) found in BVs (like the aorta) which allows it to stretch & recoil. The surface of elastin is hydrophobic which causes it to “want” to recoil (iii) assemblages of glycosaminoglycans & proteins. They provide matrix support, cushioning & hydration. They are highly -vely charged and therefore binds alot of H2O. Links proteins of ECM & cell surface
Describe (i) glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) (ii) integrins
(i) LONG chains of repeating disaccharide units which are highly -vely charged due to the sulphate group which makes it highly hydrated (ii) links from collagen fibres & proteoglycans to the cell surface membrane
What are myofibroblasts? What is their function.
They secrete collagen - are smooth muscle like - involved in tissue repair of damaged tissue - they proliferate & secrete collagen, consolidate the damaged area & contract - they differentiate from fibroblasts under mechanical stress & are especially important in wound healing
What are the 3 functions of adipocytes?
insulation - subcutaneous packing - e.g. eye energy store
Describe the function of tight junctions. (HINT: there’s 3 functions)
They define the polarity Control the passage of substance between cells Can link actin cytoskeleton
Describe the function and structure of adherens junctions.
Are cell adhesion spots/bands
The plaque anchors actin filaments at the membrane
Are NOT as dense as desmosomes
Distinct cadherins provide cell adhesion in different tissues, these can be extended molecules & are flexible
Link from cadherins via catenin to actin
Describe the structure & function of desmosomes.
Are links between strong intermediate filaments in adjacent cells. Cadherins are non-classical types.
Cytoplasmic dense plaque containing desmoplakin & plakoglolbin proteins, and keratin filaments are anchored to these cytoplasmic dense plaques
What is the structure & function of gap junctions?
Allow communication between cells
Hydrophillic channel which allows small molecules to pass to coordinate function
What is the cause of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?
Gene mutation causing the absence of dystrophin. Premature termination of translation
Damage to muscle fibre due to muscle tearing:
- muscle wasting
- muscle weakness
- unable to walk by 12 years
(SIDENOTE: in healthy individuals, dystrophin usually binds to actin)
Describe the spread of cancer in terms of cell adhesion.
- Tumour cells accumulate, cells not breached BM, carcinoma in situ
- MICROINVASION:
- expression of cadherins reduced. Cells converted to ‘mesenchymal’ cells
- microinvasion starts aided by secretion of metalloproteases
- BM breached
- invading tumours overexpress integrins which promote cell proliferation/interaction with non epithelial cells during movement - PROGRESSION TO METASTASIS
- autocrine motility factors from tumour cells
- angiogenesis
- entry into blood & lymphatics
- dissemination to metastasis
There are 3 types of cell adhesion molecules; focal adhesions, hemidesmasomes & integrins. Describe each of them respectively.
- FOCAL ADHESIONS link the ECM to cytoskeleton (actin filaments) through transmembrane proteins (integrins)
- Dynamic (e.g. in fibroblasts)
- also act as signalling platforms
- link to fibronectin - HEMIDESMASOMES linkn ECM to cytoskeleton (intermediate filaments) through transmembrane proteins (integrins)
- more stable (e.g. linking epithelial cells to BM)
- link to laminin in BM - INTEGRINS are a large family of proteins that bridges between the cytosol & ECM
What attempt was made to correct Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?
PTC124 (Ataluren) - an experimental drug that was thought to override premature stop single mutation to produce normal dystrophin
List the 4 points of Koch’s Postulates.
- The bacteria must be present in every case of the disease
- Bacteria must be isolated from the host with the disease & grown in pure culture
- The specific disease must be reproduced when a pure culture of the bacteria is inoculated into a healthy susceptible host
- The bacteria must be recoverable from the experimentally infected host