Immunology: Infection Isolation and Complement Activation

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of fibrin in the inflammatory response?

To attract phagocytes to the site of infection

To produce pyrogens that stimulate the hypothalamus

To activate complement systems

To wall off the infected area, preventing the spread of pathogens (correct)

Which of the following is a result of systemic inflammation?

Reduced neutrophil production

Significant fluid loss from the blood into tissues (correct)

Decreased body temperature

Increased phagocytosis

What is the primary role of phagocytes in the inflammatory response?

To activate the complement system

To remove microorganisms and dead tissue (correct)

To stimulate the hypothalamus to increase body temperature

To produce chemical mediators

What is the result of local inflammation on tissue function?

Loss of tissue function due to tissue destruction, swelling, and pain Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of chemical mediators in the inflammatory response?

To attract phagocytes to the site of infection Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of complement activation in the inflammatory response?

To further enhance the inflammatory response and attract additional phagocytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of excessive vascular permeability in systemic inflammation?

Significant fluid loss from the blood into tissues, potentially causing shock and death Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of neutrophils in the inflammatory response?

To promote phagocytosis and eliminate pathogens Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the immune system is responsible for directly lysing bacterial cells?

Complement proteins Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of interferons in response to viral infections?

To stimulate the production of antiviral proteins Signup and view all the answers

Which type of white blood cell is usually the first to arrive at the site of infection?

Neutrophils Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of leukotrienes in the immune response?

To attract white blood cells to the site of infection Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of complement proteins in the immune response?

To mark pathogens for destruction by phagocytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of white blood cells in the immune response?

To patrol the body for invaders Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of viral infection on interferon production?

Stimulation of interferon production Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of chemotaxis in the immune response?

To attract white blood cells to the site of infection Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of adaptive immunity?

Ability to recognize and target specific substances Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of lysozyme in the body?

To kill certain bacteria by breaking down their cell walls Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of increased vascular permeability during inflammation?

Immune cells and proteins are able to move more easily out of blood vessels and into tissues Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of phagocytosis in innate immunity?

Physical removal of pathogens from the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of mucus in the body's defense against infection?

To trap and eliminate pathogens from the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of histamine in the body's response to infection?

To promote inflammation and increase blood flow Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of vasodilation during inflammation?

Increased blood flow to the affected area Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between innate and adaptive immunity?

Innate immunity lacks specificity and memory, while adaptive immunity has both Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Infection and Inflammation

Fibrin helps to wall off the infected area, preventing the spread of pathogens
Complement activation further enhances the inflammatory response and attracts additional phagocytes
Chemical mediators and phagocyte attraction promote the elimination of pathogens and tissue repair

Types of Inflammation

Local Inflammation

Confined response limited to a specific area of the body
Symptoms: redness, heat, swelling, and pain due to increased blood flow and vascular permeability
Loss of function results from tissue destruction, swelling, and pain

Systemic Inflammation

Generalized response distributed throughout the body
Additional features:
- Increased neutrophil production
- Fever production
- Severe cases: excessive vascular permeability leading to fluid loss and potentially causing shock and death

Role of White Blood Cells in Immunity

White blood cells and their derivatives play central roles in the body's immune defense against pathogens
Produced in the red bone marrow and lymphatic tissue
Released into the bloodstream to patrol the body for invaders

Interferons

Definition: proteins produced by infected cells in response to viral infections
Function: protect against viral infections by binding to neighboring cells and stimulating them to produce antiviral proteins
Activation: viral infection triggers the production of interferons by infected cells

Chemotaxis and Chemical Attraction

Function: attract white blood cells to the site of infection or injury
Chemical signals: chemicals released from pathogens or damaged tissues act as signals to attract white blood cells
Chemicals involved: complement proteins, leukotrienes, and others

Lymphatic System

Lacks specificity and memory; every exposure triggers the same response
Example: each time a bacterial cell enters the body, it is phagocytized at the same speed and efficiency

Adaptive Immunity

Recognition and response: recognizes and destroys pathogens with an improved response upon subsequent exposures
Characteristics: specificity, memory, and ability to distinguish among different substances
Function: promotes inflammation and immune response

Chemical Mediators

Surface Chemicals

Lysozyme: found in tears and saliva, kills certain bacteria by breaking down their cell walls
Mucus: found on mucous membranes, traps pathogens, preventing their entry into the body

Inflammatory Chemicals

Histamine, complement, prostaglandins, leukotrienes: promote inflammation
Mechanism: vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, and others

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Description

This quiz covers the role of fibrin in walling off infected areas, complement activation, and the resulting inflammatory response. Learn how the body responds to pathogens and the consequences of systemic inflammation.