40 Questions
What is the function of antimicrobial secretions in the innate immunity?
To directly block or lyse bacteria
Which type of cells are involved in the innate immune response and have no immunological memory?
Phagocytes and natural killer cells
What is the primary function of the complement system?
To trigger inflammation and kill pathogens by cytolysis
What is the term for an overactive immune system?
Allergy
What is the term for the body's first line of defense against pathogens?
Innate immunity
Which of the following is NOT a function of the immune system?
Producing hormones
What is the term for the process of preventing or reducing the severity of infectious diseases?
Vaccination
What is the term for the physical and chemical barriers that prevent pathogens from entering the body?
All of the above
What is the primary function of CD4+ T cells?
To secrete cytokines to coordinate immune response
What is the outcome of an overactive immune system?
Allergies and autoimmune diseases
What is the role of phagocytes in the immune response?
To engulf and destroy pathogens
What type of hypersensitivity is mediated by IgE and mast cells?
Type I - Acute
What is the result of an underactive immune system?
Immunodeficiency disorders
What is the function of CD8+ T cells?
To kill target cells
What type of hypersensitivity involves the recruitment of macrophages and eosinophils?
Type IV - Cell-mediated
What is the result of immune system mistakenly attacking the body's own tissues and cells?
Autoimmune diseases
What is the role of TNFa in the immune response?
Implicated in inflammation
What is the main function of macrophages in the immune cascade?
To phagocytose foreign substances
What is the role of cytokines in the immune response?
To activate immune cells through receptor binding
What is the role of neutrophils in the immune response?
To phagocytose foreign substances
What is the role of eosinophils in the immune response?
To fight against parasites
What is the role of mast cells in the immune response?
To release inflammatory mediators
What is the process by which immune cells develop from stem cells?
Haematopoiesis
What is the term for the series of reactions that occur in the body in response to a foreign substance?
Immune cascade
What is the primary function of the immune system?
To defend the body against harmful foreign substances
What is immunology?
The study of the immune system and its functions
What is the role of the adaptive immune system?
To provide a longer-term response that is specifically tailored to the invading pathogen
What is the term for the complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body?
Immune system
What are the two main types of immune systems?
Innate and adaptive
What type of immune response is characterized by a rapid response to infections?
Innate immune response
What is the term for the cells involved in the immune response?
Leukocytes
What is the term for the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue?
MALT
What is the primary function of macrophages in the immune system?
To stay in connective tissue and phagocytose foreign particles
Which type of cell is responsible for cell-mediated immunity?
T cells
What is the primary function of NK cells in the immune system?
To target and kill infected and cancer cells
What is the role of dendritic cells in the immune system?
To present antigens to T cells in lymph nodes
What is the primary function of B cells in the immune system?
To produce antibodies against pathogens
What is the role of monocytes in the immune system?
To differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells
Where do T cells complete their development?
Thymus
What is the role of antigen presentation in the immune system?
To activate T cells to target infected cells
Study Notes
Immunology
- Immunology is the study of the immune system and its functions.
- The immune system plays a crucial role in maintaining health by defending against pathogens and potentially harmful substances.
- When the immune system malfunctions, it can lead to diseases such as allergies and autoimmune disorders.
Key Terms in Immunology
- Immune system: a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against harmful foreign substances.
- Components of the immune system:
- Innate immune system: provides a rapid response to infections.
- Adaptive immune system: provides a longer-term response that is specifically tailored to the invading pathogen.
- Cells: leukocytes (white blood cells), including neutrophils, macrophages, monocytes, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and lymphocytes (B cells and T cells).
- Tissues and organs: lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), bronchial-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT), and skin-associated lymphoid tissue (SALT).
- Molecules: antibodies, cytokines, complement, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules.
Innate Immunity
- Innate immunity: the body's first line of defense against pathogens.
- Non-specific cells: phagocytes, natural killer (NK) cells (myeloid cells); no immunological memory.
- Physical and chemical barriers:
- Skin and mucus (pH)
- Stomach acid (~pH2)
- Antimicrobial secretions (lysozymes), lactoferrin, defensins, and peroxidases
- Inflammation: stops the spread of infection, promotes healing, and has four cardinal signs: redness, heat, swelling, and pain.
- Complement system: a cascade of proteins that triggers inflammation and kills pathogens by cytolysis.
- IFNg: an important macrophage activator.
- TNFa: important in inflammation.
Adaptive Immunity
- Adaptive immunity: a longer-term response that is specifically tailored to the invading pathogen.
- Cytokines: signalling molecules that regulate the immune response.
Cells of the Immune System
- Leukocytes (white blood cells):
- Formed by haematopoiesis in bone marrow.
- Start with multipotent haemopoietic stem cells (SC).
- Cells develop into myeloid/lymphoid progenitor cells.
- Myeloid cells: contribute to innate response.
- Neutrophils: phagocytes, granulocytes, polymorphonuclear cells (nucleus segmented into 3-5 lobes).
- Eosinophils: phagocytes, granulocytes, polymorphonuclear cells (nucleus usually bilobed).
- Basophils: non-phagocytic, granulocytes, polymorphonuclear cells (nucleus bilobed/segmented).
- Mast cells: non-phagocytes, granulocytes, involved in inflammatory response.
- Monocytes: phagocytes, antigen presenting cells, release cytokines to recruit other cells.
- Dendritic cells: phagocytes, antigen presenting cells, release cytokines to recruit other cells.
- Macrophages: phagocytes, antigen presenting cells, release cytokines to recruit other cells.
- Lymphoid cells: contribute to the adaptive response (except NK cells).
- NK cells: complete development in bone marrow, contribute to innate response.
- B cells: complete development in bone marrow, bind to specific antigens, capable of phagocytosis and antigen presentation.
- T cells: complete development in thymus, responsible for cell-mediated immunity, bind to specific antigens, and require antigen presentation.
Immune Cascade
- A series of reactions that occur in the body in response to a foreign substance.
- Involves the activation, recruitment, and action of various immune cells and molecules.
- Importance in health and disease: crucial for eliminating pathogens, but can also contribute to inflammation and tissue damage if not properly regulated.
Immune System Disorders
- Role of immune system in diseases:
- An overactive immune system can lead to allergies and autoimmune diseases.
- An underactive immune system can result in immunodeficiency disorders.
- Types of hypersensitivity:
- I - Acute (allergic; anaphylactic; immediate; reaginic)
- II - Antibody mediated (cytotoxic)
- III - Antigen-antibody complex mediated
- IV - Cell-mediated (delayed; tuberculin-type)
Learn about the fundamentals of immunology, including the terminology, role, and components of the immune system. Understand the importance of immunology in health and disease.
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