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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of B cells in the immune system?
Which structure acts as a physical barrier in the first line of defense against pathogens?
What are the primary lymphoid organs responsible for producing lymphocytes?
Which mechanism is primarily associated with T cells in the immune response?
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What is the function of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALTs) within the immune system?
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What is the primary function of the thymus in the immune system?
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Which organ is primarily responsible for filtering germs from the bloodstream?
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What happens to the thymus as a person ages?
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Which part of the immune system is primarily involved in antibody production?
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What role does the mucous membrane play in the immune system?
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What type of lymphocyte matures in the thymus and plays a key role in adaptive immunity?
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Which component of the immune system is responsible for breaking down and recycling red blood cells?
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What is the primary component found in the large intestine that contributes to the immune system?
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What hormone is produced by the thymus to aid in the production of T cells?
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Which type of T cells is NOT produced in the thymus?
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What is the main function of the spleen?
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Which structures are associated with Gut-associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT)?
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Which type of barrier in the innate immune system includes skin and mucous membranes?
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What kind of receptors are crucial for innate immunity in recognizing pathogens?
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What is one of the roles of macrophages in the spleen?
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Which statement is true regarding the thymus's activity?
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Study Notes
Immune System Components
- Bone Marrow: Responsible for producing all blood cells, including T and B lymphocytes; B lymphocytes mature in the marrow, while T lymphocytes migrate to the thymus.
- Thymus: A bi-lobed gland situated above the heart, behind the sternum, and between the lungs; primarily active during childhood, and gradually transforms into fatty tissue; crucial for the maturation of T lymphocytes.
- Lymph Nodes: Small bean-shaped tissues positioned along lymphatic vessels; act as filters, trapping germs and triggering antibody production within the blood.
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Spleen: Located in the upper left abdomen, beneath the diaphragm, responsible for:
- Storing and releasing immune system cells into the bloodstream
- Filtering germs from the blood
- Breaking down damaged red blood cells (RBC).
- Storing and breaking down platelets
- Tonsils: Located in the throat and root of the mouth; contain large numbers of white blood cells (WBC) and form Waldeyer's ring; provide immune defense against invaders entering through the mouth and nose.
Barriers of the Innate Immune System:
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Anatomic (Physical) Barriers:
- Skin: First line of defense; physical barrier.
- Mucous membranes: First line of defense, physical barrier; trap pathogens.
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Physiological Barriers:
- Temperature: Fever raises body temperature, hindering pathogen growth.
- Low pH: Acidic environments like stomach acid can inhibit pathogen survival.
- Chemical mediators: Saliva, airway, and tear fluid contain enzymes that destroy bacterial cell walls.
- Mucus: Traps germs in the airways, which are then moved out by cilia.
- Harmless bacteria: Found on the skin and mucous membranes, compete with pathogens for resources and space.
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Endocytic and Phagocytic Barriers:
- Phagocytosis: Process by which immune cells engulf and destroy microbes and cellular debris.
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Inflammatory Barriers:
- Inflammation: A complex response involving immune cells and mediators that help to isolate and eliminate pathogens.
Key Concepts of Immune Function
- Innate Immunity: Non-specific defense mechanism that responds rapidly to a wide range of pathogens; relies on PRRs to recognize PAMPs.
- Adaptive Immunity: Specific defense mechanism that targets specific pathogens; involves B and T lymphocytes and their ability to remember past exposures.
- Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs): Common structures found on various pathogens such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and double-stranded RNA.
- Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs): Receptors on immune cells that recognize PAMPs.
- Mucosal-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALTs): Immune tissue located in mucosal membranes, such as those found in the intestine, nose, eyes, skin, and mouth.
- Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALTs): Part of MALTs, specifically located in the gastrointestinal tract, tonsils, appendix, and Peyer's patches in the small intestine.
Lymphocyte Function
- B Lymphocytes (B Cells): Develop in the bone marrow; mature into plasma cells that produce antibodies.
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T Lymphocytes (T Cells): Develop in the bone marrow and mature in the thymus; responsible for cell-mediated immunity.
- Helper T Cells: Coordinate immune responses by activating other immune cells.
- Cytotoxic T Cells: Destroy infected cells.
Additional Key Terms
- Opsonize: To coat pathogens with antibodies or complement proteins, making them more easily recognized and phagocytosed by immune cells.
- Cytokines: Signaling molecules that regulate immune cell communication and function.
- Chemokines: A type of cytokine that attracts immune cells to specific locations.
- Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF): A cytokine that helps to kill tumor cells and regulate inflammation.
- Interleukin 1 (IL-1): A cytokine that stimulates inflammation and fever.
- Interleukin 6 (IL-6): A cytokine involved in immune responses and inflammation.
- Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs): Cells like macrophages and dendritic cells that engulf pathogens and present antigens to T lymphocytes.
- Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC): A set of genes that code for cell surface proteins involved in antigen presentation.
- Perforins: Proteins released by cytotoxic T cells that form pores in the membranes of target cells.
- Granzymes: Enzymes released by cytotoxic T cells that enter target cells through perforins and induce cell death.
- T-cell Receptor: A receptor on T cells that recognizes specific antigens presented by MHC molecules.
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