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What is Immunology?
What is Immunology?
Immunology is a branch of medicine and biology that covers the medical study of immune systems in humans, animals and plants.
A large number of the inflammatory conditions treated by oral medicine clinicians are either autoimmune in nature or are influenced by the immune response.
A large number of the inflammatory conditions treated by oral medicine clinicians are either autoimmune in nature or are influenced by the immune response.
True
A good understanding of immunology is needed to treat patients receiving immunomodulating agents.
A good understanding of immunology is needed to treat patients receiving immunomodulating agents.
True
What is the main function of the immune system?
What is the main function of the immune system?
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What are the essential functions that the immune system must be able to perform?
What are the essential functions that the immune system must be able to perform?
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What is an antigen?
What is an antigen?
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Antigens should have an antigenic determinant to react with the receptors of the lymphocytes, initiating the immune reaction.
Antigens should have an antigenic determinant to react with the receptors of the lymphocytes, initiating the immune reaction.
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The severity of the immune reaction depends solely on the type of antigen.
The severity of the immune reaction depends solely on the type of antigen.
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Most drugs are haptens, but some of them, when introduced to the body, can form a hapten-protein conjugate that provokes an immune response.
Most drugs are haptens, but some of them, when introduced to the body, can form a hapten-protein conjugate that provokes an immune response.
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The tip of the "Y" of an antibody contains a paratope which acts like a lock that is specific for one particular epitope which is the key on an antigen, allowing these two structures to bind together with precision.
The tip of the "Y" of an antibody contains a paratope which acts like a lock that is specific for one particular epitope which is the key on an antigen, allowing these two structures to bind together with precision.
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What are the two main categories that the immune response is classified into?
What are the two main categories that the immune response is classified into?
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Innate and adaptive immunity are completely independent of each other.
Innate and adaptive immunity are completely independent of each other.
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Which of the following characteristics are associated with innate immunity?
Which of the following characteristics are associated with innate immunity?
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Which of the following characteristics are associated with adaptive immunity?
Which of the following characteristics are associated with adaptive immunity?
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What are the three main components of innate immunity?
What are the three main components of innate immunity?
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What are some examples of additional aids that contribute to innate immunity?
What are some examples of additional aids that contribute to innate immunity?
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What is the primary function of the physical barrier in innate immunity?
What is the primary function of the physical barrier in innate immunity?
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What are the two main components of the physical barrier?
What are the two main components of the physical barrier?
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Intact skin and mucous membranes offer a high degree of protection against pathogens.
Intact skin and mucous membranes offer a high degree of protection against pathogens.
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What are the characteristics that contribute to the skin's protective function?
What are the characteristics that contribute to the skin's protective function?
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What is the function of the mucin layer in the oral mucosa?
What is the function of the mucin layer in the oral mucosa?
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Saliva contains several proteins that have antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Saliva contains several proteins that have antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties.
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What functions are provided by the cilia in the nasal cavity?
What functions are provided by the cilia in the nasal cavity?
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The stomach's acidic environment is a major barrier against most microorganisms.
The stomach's acidic environment is a major barrier against most microorganisms.
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The urinary system plays a role in defense through the mechanical cleansing and washing action of urine.
The urinary system plays a role in defense through the mechanical cleansing and washing action of urine.
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What are the two main components of blood?
What are the two main components of blood?
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What is haematopoiesis?
What is haematopoiesis?
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Haematopoiesis occurs in the bone marrow.
Haematopoiesis occurs in the bone marrow.
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What is the result of differentiation of a single precursor cell in haematopoiesis?
What is the result of differentiation of a single precursor cell in haematopoiesis?
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The formation of blood cell lineages is a strictly controlled and self-regulating process.
The formation of blood cell lineages is a strictly controlled and self-regulating process.
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What is the primary function of the circulating cells in innate immunity?
What is the primary function of the circulating cells in innate immunity?
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Which of the following cell types are considered circulating cells in innate immunity?
Which of the following cell types are considered circulating cells in innate immunity?
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The primary phagocytic cells are macrophages and microphages.
The primary phagocytic cells are macrophages and microphages.
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Macrophages and microphages originate from different precursor cells.
Macrophages and microphages originate from different precursor cells.
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Macrophages are found only in tissues.
Macrophages are found only in tissues.
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Neutrophils are primarily found in the bone marrow.
Neutrophils are primarily found in the bone marrow.
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Neutrophils have a single, round nucleus.
Neutrophils have a single, round nucleus.
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What makes neutrophils the first line of defense?
What makes neutrophils the first line of defense?
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Monocytes and macrophages have a similar morphology.
Monocytes and macrophages have a similar morphology.
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Monocytes are larger than neutrophils.
Monocytes are larger than neutrophils.
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What are the three main functions performed by phagocytes in the human body?
What are the three main functions performed by phagocytes in the human body?
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Neutrophils move slowly, while macrophages move rapidly.
Neutrophils move slowly, while macrophages move rapidly.
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What is chemotaxis?
What is chemotaxis?
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Chemoattractants can be either inorganic or organic substances.
Chemoattractants can be either inorganic or organic substances.
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Chemoattractants are primarily released by the invading pathogens.
Chemoattractants are primarily released by the invading pathogens.
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The concentration of chemoattractants decreases at the site of infection.
The concentration of chemoattractants decreases at the site of infection.
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What is the main function of the complement system?
What is the main function of the complement system?
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The complement system is composed of a number of small proteins and protein fragments that are synthesized in the bone marrow.
The complement system is composed of a number of small proteins and protein fragments that are synthesized in the bone marrow.
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Complement proteins circulate in the blood as inactive precursors.
Complement proteins circulate in the blood as inactive precursors.
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What initiates the activation of the complement system?
What initiates the activation of the complement system?
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The activation of the complement system involves a cascade of protein cleavages.
The activation of the complement system involves a cascade of protein cleavages.
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What are the two main pathways involved in complement activation?
What are the two main pathways involved in complement activation?
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Which of the following are examples of triggers for the classical pathway of complement activation?
Which of the following are examples of triggers for the classical pathway of complement activation?
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The alternative pathway of complement activation is triggered by the presence of bacterial products.
The alternative pathway of complement activation is triggered by the presence of bacterial products.
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What is the biological significance of complement activation?
What is the biological significance of complement activation?
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Complement activation inhibits the release of histamine and other mediators of inflammation.
Complement activation inhibits the release of histamine and other mediators of inflammation.
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What is adaptive immunity?
What is adaptive immunity?
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Adaptive immunity is characterized by its nonspecific nature.
Adaptive immunity is characterized by its nonspecific nature.
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What is immunological memory?
What is immunological memory?
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Adaptive immunity is present at birth and is fully functional.
Adaptive immunity is present at birth and is fully functional.
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Adaptive immunity is more effective at dealing with viral infections than bacterial infections.
Adaptive immunity is more effective at dealing with viral infections than bacterial infections.
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Adaptive immunity can only respond to antigens that have been encountered before.
Adaptive immunity can only respond to antigens that have been encountered before.
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What are the three sequential steps involved in adaptive immune response?
What are the three sequential steps involved in adaptive immune response?
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Self-antigens are more likely to trigger an adaptive immune response than non-self antigens.
Self-antigens are more likely to trigger an adaptive immune response than non-self antigens.
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What happens during the activation and proliferation phase of the adaptive immune response?
What happens during the activation and proliferation phase of the adaptive immune response?
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What are the two main outcomes of the activation and proliferation phase?
What are the two main outcomes of the activation and proliferation phase?
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Cell-mediated immunity is the primary defense against bacterial infections.
Cell-mediated immunity is the primary defense against bacterial infections.
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Humoral immunity is primarily effective against extracellular pathogens.
Humoral immunity is primarily effective against extracellular pathogens.
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The main functions of cell subtypes are to recognize antigens and release antibodies to fight disease.
The main functions of cell subtypes are to recognize antigens and release antibodies to fight disease.
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A primary function of T-helper cells is to activate macrophages.
A primary function of T-helper cells is to activate macrophages.
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T-helper cells can differentiate into cytotoxic T cells.
T-helper cells can differentiate into cytotoxic T cells.
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A primary function of cytotoxic T cells is to directly kill infected cells.
A primary function of cytotoxic T cells is to directly kill infected cells.
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Cytotoxic T cells are primarily involved in fighting extracellular bacterial infections.
Cytotoxic T cells are primarily involved in fighting extracellular bacterial infections.
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T-regulatory suppressor cells are involved in downregulating the immune response.
T-regulatory suppressor cells are involved in downregulating the immune response.
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T-regulatory suppressor cells help to eliminate potentially harmful bacteria.
T-regulatory suppressor cells help to eliminate potentially harmful bacteria.
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Memory T cells have the role of remembering what has been encountered in the past.
Memory T cells have the role of remembering what has been encountered in the past.
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Memory T cells are only generated during the primary response.
Memory T cells are only generated during the primary response.
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What is humoral immunity?
What is humoral immunity?
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Humoral immunity is primarily responsible for fighting fungal infections.
Humoral immunity is primarily responsible for fighting fungal infections.
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Plasma cells produced by the activation and proliferation phase of the adaptive immune response directly destroy pathogens.
Plasma cells produced by the activation and proliferation phase of the adaptive immune response directly destroy pathogens.
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Memory cells are a hallmark of humoral immunity, providing long-lasting immunity.
Memory cells are a hallmark of humoral immunity, providing long-lasting immunity.
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Antibodies generated in humoral immunity are only released in the blood.
Antibodies generated in humoral immunity are only released in the blood.
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The five main classes of immunoglobulins are IgM, IgA, IgG, IgE, and IgD.
The five main classes of immunoglobulins are IgM, IgA, IgG, IgE, and IgD.
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IgM is the main class of antibody produced during the primary response to a foreign antigen.
IgM is the main class of antibody produced during the primary response to a foreign antigen.
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IgA is primarily found in the blood.
IgA is primarily found in the blood.
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IgG is the most abundant antibody in the blood.
IgG is the most abundant antibody in the blood.
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IgE is associated with allergic reactions.
IgE is associated with allergic reactions.
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The terms 'adaptive' and 'acquired' immunity are interchangeable.
The terms 'adaptive' and 'acquired' immunity are interchangeable.
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Adaptive immunity is more effective than innate immunity because it has a longer memory.
Adaptive immunity is more effective than innate immunity because it has a longer memory.
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The primary adaptive immune response is faster and more potent than the secondary response.
The primary adaptive immune response is faster and more potent than the secondary response.
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Adaptive immunity can only be acquired through natural exposure to pathogens.
Adaptive immunity can only be acquired through natural exposure to pathogens.
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Active immunization involves introducing pre-formed antibodies into the body.
Active immunization involves introducing pre-formed antibodies into the body.
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Natural active immunity is acquired through direct exposure to a disease.
Natural active immunity is acquired through direct exposure to a disease.
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Natural passive immunity is acquired through vaccinations.
Natural passive immunity is acquired through vaccinations.
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Artificial passive immunity is the result of a vaccination.
Artificial passive immunity is the result of a vaccination.
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Study Notes
Basics of Immunity
- Immunology is the branch of medicine and biology that studies the immune systems of humans, animals, and plants.
- Many inflammatory conditions treated by oral medicine are either autoimmune or influenced by the immune response.
- Understanding immunology is crucial for treating patients receiving immunomodulating agents to comprehend their actions and potential side effects.
The Immune System
- The immune system is a complex system mainly designed for protection against infection.
- It neutralizes foreign substances (non-self antigens) from the environment expressed by various microbes and some tumors.
- The immune system must recognize foreign antigens, activate, produce effector proteins that neutralize, or activate other cells. It then down regulates the inflammatory process after the foreign material is cleared.
Antigen (Ag)
- An antigen (Ag) is a substance, typically with a high molecular weight, foreign to the body that, when introduced, triggers an immune response.
- Antigens possess antigenic determinants (epitopes).
- Epitopes are the specific parts of an antigen which react with receptors on lymphocytes, initiating an immune reaction.
- The strength of the immune response depends on several factors, including the chemical structure of the antigen.
Hapten (Incomplete Antigen)
- A hapten is a small molecule that, on its own, has no significant immunogenicity.
- When haptens are introduced into the body, they combine with body proteins to form a hapten-protein conjugate, triggering an immune response.
- Most medicines are haptens.
Antibody (Immunoglobulin Ig)
- Antibodies (immunoglobulins, Igs) are large, Y-shaped proteins used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign substances, like pathogenic bacteria and viruses.
- Each antibody tip contains a paratope (the "lock") which is specific to one epitope (the "key") on an antigen.
- This precise binding mechanism allows the antibody to tag a microbe or infected cell for attack by other parts of the immune system.
Innate Immunity
- Innate immunity is a non-specific, immediate immune response.
- The main components of innate immunity include the physical barriers, circulating cells, and the complement system.
- Physical barriers include intact skin and mucous membranes (e.g., oral mucosa) which provide protection against pathogens.
- The oral mucosa is covered by a mucous layer which blocks pathogens. Saliva contains proteins that have antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Certain symbiotic relationships, such as the one between lactobacilli and yeast, help prevent infections.
- The body's oxygen level, hormone balance, and genetic constitution influence susceptibility to infection.
- Blood cells are essential in innate immunity.
- Blood is comprised of blood plasma and cells suspended in it.
- Hematopoiesis is the formation of blood cell components (including immune system components), which takes place in the bone marrow.
- A single pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell is capable of developing into all blood cell lineages.
- The process is self-regulating and maintains a balanced production rate with cell removal.
Blood Cells (Circulating Cells)
- Platelets (thrombocytes) are cellular fragments without nuclei that originate from megakaryocytes. They are essential for blood clot formation at injury sites. (Normal range is 150,000 to 500,000/mm3). The lifespan is 8-9 days.
- Erythrocytes (red blood cells) are responsible for oxygen delivery. They are biconcave disks with no nucleus. (Normal range : 3.8-5.69 million/mm3). The average lifespan is 100-120 days.
- Leukocytes are a group of phagocytic cells and granulocytes that play key roles in innate immunity.
Phagocytes (Cells of Innate Immunity - Detailed)
- Phagocytes, like neutrophils and macrophages, ingest and destroy pathogens.
- The functions include destroying organisms, chemotaxis (cellular movement following chemical signals), phagocytosis, and killing functions.
- Some functions of phagocytes are oxygen dependent, whereas other functions are oxygen independent.
- Macrophages play a critical role as antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Macrophages process antigens, break them into fragments, and present these fragments to T lymphocytes.
- Macrophages produce diverse secretory proteins, including hydrolytic enzymes, prostaglandins, and cytokines, which impact the immune response.
Natural Killer Cells (NK cells)
- NK cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes that rapidly respond to virus-infected cells, tumor cells, and other intracellular pathogens.
- NK cells contain granules that release cytotoxic proteins (like perforin and granzymes) which induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in infected or abnormal cells.
Dendritic Cells (DCs)
- Dendritic cells are antigen-presenting cells (APCs) located in tissues in contact with the external environment.
- They capture antigens and present them to T cells, acting as messengers between innate and adaptive immunity.
Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs)
- APCs include macrophages, B cells, and dendritic cells. These cells process antigens, present them on their surface using MHC molecules, and activate T cells.
Eosinophils and Basophils (Cells of Innate Immunity- Specialized)
- Eosinophils combat multicellular parasites.
- Basophils play a role in inflammatory reactions and allergic responses.
Mast Cells
- Mast cells are derived from pluripotent cells found in tissues.
- They play critical roles in physiological functions and the pathophysiology of diseases and allergic responses. The main role of these cells is to liberate histamine and other mediators during immune responses.
Complement System
- The complement system is a group of proteins in the blood involved in the innate immune response.
- It can become activated, through two pathways, to enhance opsonization, chemotaxis, pathogen lysis, and the clearance of immune complexes.
- The system can activate mast cells and basophils.
Adaptive (Acquired) Immunity
- Adaptive immunity involves lymphocytes, which are specific for antigens, and involve two major pathways: cell-mediated and humoral. T and B cells are specific for various antigens.
- Lymphocytes (B cells and T cells) are formed in bone marrow, with T cells maturing in the thymus and B cells maturing in the bone marrow(or in the bursa of Fabricius in birds).
- The adaptive immune response includes antigen processing, antigen recognition through the adaptive system and activation/proliferation of adaptive immune cell populations.
- Cell-mediated immunity involves T cells (CD4 and CD8) to fight pathogens.
- Humoral response involves B cells producing antibodies to recognize foreign antigens.
- The adaptive immune response has two main phases (primary and secondary), both with different characteristics and timing.
Cellular & Humoral Immunity
- Cell-mediated immunity is a type of adaptive immunity responsible for fighting pathogens through direct cell-to-cell interactions.
- Humoral immunity is a type of adaptive immunity that involves antibodies released by B cells to recognize pathogens.
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Description
This quiz explores fundamental concepts in immunology, including the immune system's function, the role of antigens, and the importance of understanding immune responses in treating patients. Test your knowledge of how the immune system protects against infections and influences various inflammatory conditions.
