BIOC 401 Immunochemistry: Immunity

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Questions and Answers

What type of cells are responsible for producing antibodies in humoral immunity?

Phagocytes

B lymphocytes (correct)

T lymphocytes

Natural killer cells

Which of the following statements about innate immunity is true?

Innate immunity only targets pathogens that are already established in the body.

Innate immunity recognizes structures shared by classes of microbes. (correct)

Innate immunity does not react to non-infectious substances.

Innate immunity depends solely on T lymphocytes for its function.

Which immune response primarily targets intracellular microbes?

Cell-mediated immunity (correct)

Humoral immunity

Allergic immunity

Passive immunity

What is the primary function of antibodies in the immune response?

To neutralize and eliminate extracellular microbes Signup and view all the answers

What role do phagocytes play in both innate and adaptive immunity?

They ingest and destroy microbes that antibodies have coated. Signup and view all the answers

Which cells enhance the antimicrobial mechanisms of innate immunity during an adaptive immune response?

All of these options Signup and view all the answers

How do innate lymphoid cells contribute to the immune response?

They help in the early defense against infections. Signup and view all the answers

What is an antigen?

Any substance recognized specifically by lymphocytes or antibodies Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the immune system?

To mediate resistance to disease Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes innate immunity?

It provides immediate protection against microbes. Signup and view all the answers

What is adaptive immunity also known as?

Specific immunity Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the immune system is primarily responsible for long-term defense against specific pathogens?

Antibodies Signup and view all the answers

What is the first line of defense in innate immunity?

Epithelial barriers Signup and view all the answers

How does adaptive immunity differ from innate immunity?

Adaptive immunity develops more slowly and is specialized. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of phagocytes in the immune response?

They eliminate microbes and debris. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the kinetics of innate and adaptive immune responses?

The response times may vary based on different infections. Signup and view all the answers

What is the process called when lymphocytes undergo proliferation after activation by antigens?

Clonal Expansion Signup and view all the answers

How long does it typically take for a secondary immune response to develop after antigen exposure?

2 to 7 days Signup and view all the answers

What describes the immune system's ability to not react against the body's own antigenic substances?

Immunological Tolerance Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the clearance of infection have on the immune response?

It leads to a self-limited response that declines Signup and view all the answers

What determines the variability in the kinetics of antibody production after immunization?

Type of antigen exposure Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary functions of antibodies in the immune system?

Prevent microbes from colonizing host cells Signup and view all the answers

Which type of immunity is achieved through vaccination or infection?

Active immunity Signup and view all the answers

What type of antigens do most T cells recognize?

Protein antigens Signup and view all the answers

How do antibodies fail to protect the body from certain types of microbes?

By being unable to access intracellular microbes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes passive immunity?

Involves the transfer of antibodies from another individual Signup and view all the answers

What is a common way newborns acquire passive immunity?

Via antibodies passed from the mother through the placenta and breast milk Signup and view all the answers

Cell-mediated immunity primarily involves which type of immune cell?

T lymphocytes Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly contrasts the specificities of B and T lymphocytes?

B lymphocytes recognize many different types of molecules, whereas T cells predominantly recognize protein antigens. Signup and view all the answers

What does specificity in the adaptive immune system refer to?

The capability to recognize and differentiate between various antigens. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes clonal selection in the adaptive immune response?

Only lymphocytes with specific receptors for a given antigen are selected to proliferate. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by immunologic memory in the adaptive immune system?

The enhanced and quicker response of lymphocytes upon subsequent exposures to the same antigen. Signup and view all the answers

During the primary immune response, what type of lymphocytes initially responds to an antigen?

Naive lymphocytes. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a secondary immune response from a primary one?

Secondary responses are mediated by memory lymphocytes and occur more rapidly. Signup and view all the answers

What role do memory lymphocytes play in the adaptive immune system?

They remain long-lived and respond to previously encountered antigens more effectively. Signup and view all the answers

How does the adaptive immune system respond to persistent infections?

By generating more memory lymphocytes and activating existing ones. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding the response to antigens X and Y is accurate?

Different antibodies are produced for antigens X and Y, illustrating specificity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Immunity Overview

Immunity is resistance to infectious diseases; the immune system consists of cells, tissues, and molecules mediating this resistance.
Immunology studies the immune system's responses to pathogens and its role in diseases.

Types of Immunity

Host defenses are divided into innate immunity and adaptive immunity.
Innate Immunity: Provides immediate, non-specific protection against infections; always present and includes physical barriers like skin and mucosal tissues.
Adaptive Immunity: Develops more slowly and provides a specialized response; involves lymphocyte activation and differentiation after exposure to pathogens.

Mechanisms of Innate and Adaptive Immunity

Innate immunity includes barriers (skin, mucosal tissue) and cellular components (phagocytes, natural killer cells, complement system) that recognize and eliminate microbes.
Adaptive immunity involves the action of lymphocytes; B cells produce antibodies for extracellular pathogen elimination, while T cells handle intracellular pathogens.

Humoral vs. Cell-Mediated Immunity

Humoral Immunity: Mediated by antibodies secreted by B lymphocytes, targeting extracellular microbes and toxins in body fluids.
Cell-Mediated Immunity: T lymphocytes manage defense against intracellular microbes, killing infected cells or activating phagocytes to destroy pathogens.

Active and Passive Immunity

Active Immunity: Induced by infection or vaccination; the body mounts a response to develop long-term resistance.
Passive Immunity: Transferred from another immune individual (e.g., maternal antibodies to newborns) providing immediate but short-term protection.

Properties of Adaptive Immune Responses

Specificity: Ability to distinguish between millions of antigens.
Diversity: The extensive repertoire of lymphocyte receptors to recognize numerous antigens.
Clonal Selection: Mature lymphocytes with specific receptor populations proliferate and differentiate when their antigen is encountered.

Immunologic Memory

Repeated exposure to an antigen results in faster and more robust responses (secondary immune response) due to memory lymphocytes generated during the primary response.
Immunologic memory enhances the ability to combat persistent infections; vaccines create long-lasting immunity.

Immune Response Dynamics

Clonal expansion occurs upon lymphocyte activation, rapidly increasing the number of antigen-specific cells to tackle infections.
Immune responses are self-limited, allowing the immune system to restore a resting state after pathogen elimination.
The immune system maintains tolerance to self-antigens, avoiding reactions against the host's own tissues.

Timeline of Immune Responses

Primary immune response: Typically requires 1 to 3 weeks to develop.
Secondary immune response: Much faster, taking about 2 to 7 days for recognizable immune activation.

Summary of Immune Activities

Antibodies neutralize microbes at mucosal surfaces and in the blood, preventing infections.
T cells recognize and respond to infected host cells, directing the immune response against intracellular threats.

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Description

Explore the mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity in this quiz on immunochemistry. Understand how the immune system combats infectious diseases through the coordination of various cells and molecules. Dive deeper into the responses generated against microbial pathogens.