40 Questions
Which of the following types of white blood cells primarily helps to eliminate parasites from the body?
Eosinophils
What is the primary function of histamine released by basophils?
Increasing blood flow
Which type of immune response involves the activation of cytotoxic T cells and helper T cells?
Cell-mediated response
What is the primary function of macrophages in the immune system?
To destroy foreign antigens and present them to the immune system
Which of the following is NOT a type of phagocyte?
Lymphocytes
What is the primary function of dendritic cells in the immune system?
To alert the immune system to pathogens
Which type of immune response involves the production of antibodies by B cells?
Humoral response
What is the primary function of heparin released by basophils?
Inhibiting clot formation
What type of virus is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?
RNA virus
What is the primary mechanism by which HIV replicates?
Reverse transcriptase
Which of the following is a characteristic of the asymptomatic stage of HIV infection?
Slow destruction of immune cells over 5-10 years
What is the most common malignant cancer associated with AIDS?
Kaposi's sarcoma
What is the primary method of transmission of HIV?
Blood-borne
What is the purpose of genotypic testing in HIV drug resistance testing?
To look for specific genetic mutations
What is the goal of antiretroviral therapy in treating HIV?
To prevent viral replication
What is the purpose of measuring CD4 cell levels and viral load in HIV-infected individuals?
To monitor disease progression and effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy
What is the primary response of the immune system to microfilariae?
To attack the microfilariae, causing inflammation
What is the primary goal of treatment for lymphatic filariasis?
To prevent and control the spread of microfilariae
What is the primary mode of transmission for dengue fever?
Through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito
What is the primary complication of dengue fever?
Bleeding and internal organ damage
What is the primary goal of treatment for dengue fever?
To manage symptoms and prevent complications
What is the primary mode of transmission for tuberculosis?
Through inhalation of infected droplets
What is the primary response of the immune system to Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
To form a wall around the bacteria, creating a dormant state
What is the primary goal of treatment for tuberculosis?
To cure the disease with antibiotics
Which type of immune response is primarily mediated by B cells?
Humoral-mediated immunity
What is the primary function of cytotoxic T cells?
To recognize and bind to foreign antigens on MHC I of infected cells
Which type of antibody is responsible for protecting mucous membranes?
IgA
What is the primary function of complement proteins?
To lyse pathogens through a cascade of protein activation
Which type of immune cell is responsible for engulfing and destroying foreign cells and debris?
Macrophages
What is the primary function of helper T cells?
To activate macrophages and B cells
Which type of antibody is responsible for allergic reactions?
IgE
What is the primary function of natural killer cells?
To destroy all foreign invaders by releasing cytotoxic chemicals and cytokines
What is the primary function of Memory B cells?
To activate Plasma cells
Which of the following is NOT a component of the Second line of defense?
Skin and mucous membranes
What is the primary function of MHC I?
To mark cells as 'self'
Which type of cell is primarily responsible for producing antibodies?
Plasma cells
What is the term for the specific region of an antigen molecule that initiates an immune response?
Epitope
What is the primary function of Monocytes?
To migrate into tissues during injury
What is the term for small molecular weight molecules that can only trigger an immune response if bound to a larger antigenic macromolecule?
Hapten
Which of the following is a component of the Inflammatory response?
Fever
Study Notes
Immune System Components
- The immune system consists of:
- Lymphatic system
- Physical barriers (skin, mucous membranes, stomach acids)
- Antibodies (produced by B-cell lymphocytes)
- All white blood cells (including neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and lymphocytes)
Leukocytes and Macrophages
- Phagocytes: cells that engulf and consume foreign material and debris
- Types of phagocytes:
- Macrophages: derived from monocytes, destroy foreign antigens, and serve as antigen-presenting cells
- Dendritic cells: alert the immune system to pathogens that have breached the body surface
- Monocytes: a type of white blood cell and phagocyte
Types of Leukocytes
- Neutrophils: wander in connective tissue, killing bacteria through phagocytosis and digestion, and producing bactericidal chemicals
- Eosinophils: guard against parasites, allergens, and other pathogens, killing tapeworms and roundworms by producing superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and toxic proteins
- Basophils: secrete chemicals that aid the mobility and action of other leukocytes (leukotrienes, histamine, and heparin)
- Lymphocytes: help the body's immune system fight cancer and other foreign viruses and bacteria
Adaptive Immunity
- A specific response to an antigen
- 2 basic adaptive responses:
- Cell-mediated response: cytotoxic T cells destroy infected cells, and helper T cells help activate other white blood cells
- Humoral response: B cells produce antibodies
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- Caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus
- Stages:
- Acute illness stage: occurs several weeks after infection, with symptoms such as fever, headache, and lymphadenopathy
- Asymptomatic stage: 5-10 years, with slow destruction of immune cells
- Symptomatic or AIDS stage: when CD4 cells fall below a critical level, with symptoms such as opportunistic infections, malignant cancers, and neurologic symptoms
Epidemiology and Lab Diagnosis
- Blood-borne transmission through contact with contaminated body fluids, unprotected sexual intercourse, blood transfusion, sharing contaminated needles, and mother-to-fetus transmission
- Lab diagnosis: enzyme immunoassay (EIA), Western blot or immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and measurement of CD4 cell levels and viral load
Treatment
- Prevent viral replication by inhibiting HIV reverse transcriptase or protease
- Prevent and treat opportunistic infections
- Provide nutritional, medical, and emotional support
Lymphatic and Immune System Diseases
- Lymphatic filariasis: pain, inflammation, and swelling in the affected area due to the immune system's attack on microfilariae
- Dengue fever: caused by dengue viruses, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, with symptoms such as high fever, abdominal pain, and muscle and joint pain
- Tuberculosis (TB): caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, spread through inhalation of infected droplets, with symptoms such as coughing, fever, and weight loss
Learn about the different components of the human immune system, including the lymphatic system, physical barriers, antibodies, and white blood cells. Understand the roles of phagocytes, macrophages, and other immune cells.
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