30 Questions
What is the function of the thymus in the immune system?
Nursery for T-cells
What is the primary function of the spleen?
All of the above
What is the term for the swelling of lymph nodes in response to a foreign antigen?
Lymphadenitis
What is the term for all diseases of the lymph nodes?
Lymphadenopathy
What is the role of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) in the immune system?
Guarding against ingested or inhaled pathogens
What is the characteristic of innate immunity?
It is non-specific and has no memory
What is effective against extracellular viruses, bacteria, yeasts, protozoans, and non-cellular disease agents?
Adaptive Immunity
What is produced as a result of infection in natural active immunity?
Antibodies produced by the individual's immune system
What is the function of the C region in antibodies?
Determines the mechanism of the antibody's action
What is the term for the production of antibodies after exposure to a pathogen through artificial means?
Artificial active immunity
What is the term for the transfer of antibodies produced in another person or animal to an individual?
Artificial passive immunity
What is the region of the antibody that combines with light chains to form the antigen-binding site?
V region
What percentage of the fluid that is forced out of capillaries enters the lymphatic system?
15%
What is the function of lymph nodes in the lymphatic system?
To filter and monitor the lymph for foreign matter
What is the purpose of the one-way flap in lymphatic capillaries?
To open and let fluid in when the pressure in the interstitial space is greater than the pressure inside the vessel
What happens to the 3 liters of fluid that is not reabsorbed by the capillaries?
It becomes lymph and is picked up by lymphatic capillaries
What is the function of the lymphatic system in maintaining homeostasis?
To return fluid that has been diverted back to the blood
How many lymph nodes are found in the lymphatic system?
600-700
What is the primary function of IgA antibodies?
Providing protection against mucosal infections
Which type of antibody is involved in allergic responses and triggers the release of histamine?
IgE
What is the mechanism that allows the human immune system to produce a vast variety of antibodies?
Somatic recombination
What type of immunity do natural killer cells provide?
Innate immunity
Where are T-cells 'trained' after being 'born' in the bone marrow?
Thymus
What is the purpose of testing T-cells with self-antigens?
To eliminate autoreactive T-cells
What happens to self-reactive T-cells?
They become unresponsive
Where do B-cells develop?
Entirely in the bone marrow
What is the function of T-cells in cellular immunity?
To directly attack and destroy diseased cells
What is the result of recognition in cellular immunity?
Antigen-presenting cells migrate to the lymph node
What is the role of B-cells in humoral immunity?
To produce antibodies that bind to antigens
What is the advantage of memory cells in cellular immunity?
They respond to antigens more quickly next time
Study Notes
Adaptive Immunity
- Effective against extracellular viruses, bacteria, yeasts, protozoans, and non-cellular disease agents such as toxins, venoms, and allergens
- Includes active and passive immunity
- Active immunity can be natural (production of antibodies as a result of infection) or artificial (production of antibodies after exposure to pathogen through artificial means, such as vaccination)
- Passive immunity can be natural (antibodies produced by another person, such as through breast milk or placenta) or artificial (antibodies produced in another person or animal, received through blood plasma or serum, such as anti-serum for snake bites, rabies, botulism, and tetanus)
Antibody Structure
- All four chains (heavy and light) have a variable region that makes the antibody unique
- The V region of each heavy and light chain pair combines to form the antigen-binding site
- The C region determines the mechanism of the antibody's action
- There are 5 classes of antibodies named for the structure of their C regions:
- IgA (Alpha): found in secretions such as tears, saliva, and breast milk, provides protection against mucosal infections
- IgD (Delta): found on the surface of B cells, involved in B cell activation
- IgE (Epsilon): involved in allergic responses, triggers release of histamine and other inflammatory molecules, stimulates eosinophils action against parasites
- IgG (Gamma): most abundant, provides long-term protection against viruses and bacteria, crosses the placenta to protect the fetus
- IgM (Mie): first antibody produced in response to infection, found in blood and lymphatic fluid, predominant antibody in primary response
- Human immune system capable of producing as many as 1 trillion different antibodies, accomplished through somatic recombination and somatic hypermutation
Lymphocytes
- Natural killer cells: part of innate immunity
- T-cells: involved in adaptive immunity, developed in bone marrow and trained in thymus, tested by being presented with self-antigens
- B-cells: involved in adaptive immunity, developed entirely in bone marrow, those that react to self-antigens undergo anergy
Lymphoid Tissues
- Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT): prevalent in parts of the body that open to the exterior (respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts)
- Lymphoid organs: primary organs include red bone marrow and thymus, secondary organs include tonsils, spleen, and lymph nodes
Lymphatic System
- Made up of 3 main parts: lymph, lymph vessels, and lymphoid organs
- Lymph: a watery fluid that flows through the system, starts out as blood plasma that gets forced out of capillaries
- Lymph vessels: transport lymph and lymph nodes (600-700 nodes that monitor and filter the fluid)
- Lymphoid organs: spleen, thymus, adenoids, and tonsils
Innate Immunity
- Immunity you are born with and lasts your entire life
- First response to a foreign substance, non-specific, and has no memory
- 3 defense mechanisms:
- Physical barriers (1st line of defense): skin, mucous membranes
- Cellular components (2nd line of defense): leukocytes, macrophages, anti-microbial proteins, natural killer cells, fever, inflammation
- Anti-microbial proteins: interferons are a type of signaling protein
Learn about the vital role of the lymphatic system in supporting the cardiovascular and immune systems, maintaining homeostasis, and preventing fluid accumulation in the body. This quiz covers the three main parts of the lymphatic system, including lymph, a watery fluid that flows through the system. Test your knowledge of this essential system!
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