Week 5: Dysfunctional Immune Responses & Hematology

Question 1

Define autoimmunity.

Answer 1

Immune response misdirected as host’s own tissue

Question 2

Define allergy

Answer 2

Exaggerated responses against environmental antigens

Question 3

Define alloimmunity

Answer 3

Response against beneficial foreign tissues ex. transfusions, transplants

Question 4

What is produced when the body is exposed to an allergen? What is activated?

Answer 4

Production of IgE antibodies by B-cells. Activation of mast cells that release histamine & prostaglandins.

Question 5

How does the transfer of Grave’s disease occur in mother –> infant?

Answer 5

Mothers with Grave’s disease make autoantibodies against thymus, which are transferred to fetus. Plasmapheresis removes maternal autoantibodies, cures disease.

Question 6

What is hemolytic disease of the newborn called?

Answer 6

Erythroblastosis fetalis

Question 7

Define hematocrit.

Answer 7

Fraction of whole blood volume that is occupied by RBCs, usually 40-45% of blood volume.

Question 8

What is the role of neutrophils? Lymphocytes?

Answer 8

Neutro = phag, infl.
Lympho = mediate innative/adaptive responses

Question 9

What is the role of monocytes?

Answer 9

Monocytes perform phagocytosis & differentiate into macrophages

Question 10

What is the role of eosinophils? Basophils?

Answer 10

Eo = control allergic reaction, nematodes
Baso = increase allergic reaction