Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the study of a host’s reactions when foreign substances are introduced into the body called?
What is the study of a host’s reactions when foreign substances are introduced into the body called?
Immunology
What are glycoproteins found in the serum portion of the blood known as?
What are glycoproteins found in the serum portion of the blood known as?
Antibodies
What is the study of serum and other bodily fluids to detect and measure antibodies or antigens in the blood called?
What is the study of serum and other bodily fluids to detect and measure antibodies or antigens in the blood called?
Serology
Who described the 'Athenian plague' during the Peloponnesian War?
Who described the 'Athenian plague' during the Peloponnesian War?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is a method of immunizing patients against smallpox?
Which of the following is a method of immunizing patients against smallpox?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an immunogen?
What is an immunogen?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary role of antibodies?
What is the primary role of antibodies?
Signup and view all the answers
All antigens are immunogens.
All antigens are immunogens.
Signup and view all the answers
What organ was identified by Johann Conrad Peyer as part of the immune system?
What organ was identified by Johann Conrad Peyer as part of the immune system?
Signup and view all the answers
Who introduced variolation in England and reduced the smallpox fatality rate?
Who introduced variolation in England and reduced the smallpox fatality rate?
Signup and view all the answers
According to Koch’s Postulates, what must be true about a pathogen?
According to Koch’s Postulates, what must be true about a pathogen?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Overview of Immunology
- Immunology is the study of host reactions to foreign substances introduced into the body.
- Antibodies are glycoproteins found in the serum, crucial for identifying and neutralizing pathogens.
- Serology involves studying serum and bodily fluids to detect antibodies or antigens.
Subdivisions of Immunology
- Immunity: Defense mechanisms of the body against infectious diseases; can be specific or non-specific.
- Infectious Diseases: Disorders caused by pathogenic organisms.
- Hypersensitivity: Exaggerated or inappropriate immune response to antigens or allergens.
- Autoimmunity: Immune system's abnormal response against the body’s own cells, influenced by genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors.
- Immunodeficiency: Characterized by a lack of essential immune components such as lymphocytes and phagocytes.
Historical Contributions
- Thucydides (430 BC): Documented the Athenian plague, providing insight into early disease identification.
- China: Developed variolation methods—using clothing (Yi Mao) and intradermal applications (Gan Miao/Mao) to immunize against smallpox.
Variolation
- A technique to immunize against smallpox by exposing patients to materials from mild cases of the disease.
Key Historical Figures
- Johann Christian Fabricius & Girolamo Fabrizio: Identified the bursa of Fabricius in birds as an antibody-generating organ.
- Johann Conrad Peyer: Discovered Peyer’s patches, clusters of lymphoid tissue in the small intestine, essential for immune response to dietary antigens.
- Bruce Glick & Timothy Chang: Confirmed the role of the bursa of Fabricius in antibody production and the impact of its removal on immune response.
Immunogenicity
- Immunogen: A macromolecule that triggers an adaptive immune response and induces antibody production.
- Antigen: Any substance recognized by the immune system, not all of which are immunogenic.
Key Concepts
- All immunogens are antigens, but not all antigens are immunogens. Only certain pathogens (viruses, bacteria, parasites, yeast, fungi) can generate an immune response.
- Antibody-producing cells in humans originate from B-lymphocytes.
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu
- Advocated for variolation in England, significantly reducing smallpox fatality rates from 20-50% to 1-2%.
Koch’s Postulates
- The pathogen must be present in all disease cases.
- The pathogen must be isolated from a diseased host and cultured in pure form.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your knowledge on the historical background of immunology and serology. This quiz covers the fundamental concepts and the reactions of the host to foreign substances. Dive deep into the essential terms and subdivisions of this fascinating field.
