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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT a component of innate immunity?
The process by which T cells learn to distinguish self from non-self antigens in the thymus is called:
Which type of immune cell is primarily responsible for antibody production?
What is the main function of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) II molecules?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of adaptive immunity?
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Neutrophils are primarily involved in:
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The process by which lymphocytes capable of responding to a specific antigen proliferate is called:
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Which of the following is NOT a type of professional antigen-presenting cell?
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The primary function of helper T cells is to:
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Which of the following best describes the function of cytotoxic T cells?
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The ability of the immune system to respond more quickly and effectively to a pathogen it has encountered before is due to:
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Which of the following is NOT a function of the lymphatic system?
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Interferons are classified as:
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Which of the following cells does NOT perform phagocytosis?
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The type of immunity obtained during a lifetime is called:
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Which of the following is an example of a recombinant vaccine?
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IgM antibodies are primarily:
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Monocytes differentiate into:
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of IgG antibodies?
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The process of diapedesis refers to:
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Which of the following is NOT a function of the complement system?
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The theory of clonal selection states that:
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a good vaccine?
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The process by which macrophages engulf and destroy pathogens is called:
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Which of the following is NOT a function of antibodies?
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The primary site of T cell maturation is:
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Which of the following best describes the function of regulatory T cells?
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The process of somatic hypermutation occurs in:
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a secondary immune response?
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The main function of the spleen in the immune system is:
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Which of the following is NOT a function of dendritic cells?
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The process by which B cells undergo class switching to produce different antibody isotypes is called:
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of innate immunity?
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The main function of natural killer (NK) cells is:
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Which of the following is NOT a type of hypersensitivity reaction?
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The process by which antigens are broken down into peptides for presentation on MHC molecules is called:
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of autoimmune diseases?
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The primary function of follicular dendritic cells is:
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Which of the following is NOT a function of cytokines?
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The process by which neutrophils release DNA and proteins to form extracellular traps is called:
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of IgA antibodies?
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The primary function of the thymus in the immune system is:
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Which of the following is NOT a function of the complement system?
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The process by which T cells become activated upon encounter with their specific antigen is called:
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of immunological tolerance?
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The primary function of eosinophils in the immune system is:
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of MHC class I molecules?
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The process by which memory B cells rapidly differentiate into antibody-secreting plasma cells upon re-exposure to an antigen is called:
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Which of the following is NOT a function of the acute phase response?
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The primary function of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells is:
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Study Notes
Innate Immunity
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Innate Immunity: The body's first line of defense against pathogens. It is present at birth and is non-specific.
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Components of Innate Immunity:
- Physical barriers (skin, mucous membranes)
- Complement system
- Phagocytes (neutrophils, macrophages)
- Natural killer (NK) cells
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Memory B cells are part of Adaptive Immunity, not Innate Immunity
Adaptive Immunity
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Adaptive Immunity: The body's specific defense mechanism that targets specific pathogens. Develops over time based on exposure to pathogens.
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Characterisitcs of Adaptive Immunity:
- Specificity: Targets specific antigens
- Memory: Remembers pathogens for faster responses upon re-exposure
- Diversity: Can respond to a wide variety of antigens
- Immediate Response (not a characteristic of Adaptive Immunity): Adaptive immunity is not an immediate response; it takes time for the system to develop after exposure to an antigen.
Key Cells of the Immune System
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T cells (T lymphocytes): Mature in the Thymus
- Helper T cells (CD4+): Help activate other immune cells (B cells and cytotoxic T cells).
- Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+): Directly kill virus-infected or abnormal cells.
- Regulatory T cells: Suppress immune responses to prevent autoimmune reactions.
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B cells (B lymphocytes): Mature in the Bone Marrow
- Primary function: Produce antibodies.
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Professional Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs):
- Dendritic Cells: Capture antigens and present them to T cells, activating adaptive responses.
- Macrophages: Phagocytose and digest pathogens, presenting processed antigens to T cells.
- B Cells: Display antigens on their surface, allowing interaction with T cells.
- Erythrocytes (not a professional antigen-presenting cell): Red blood cells primarily involved in oxygen transport, not antigen presentation.
Immune System Processes
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Antigen Presentation: The process by which immune cells (primarily APCs) display antigens to T cells on MHC molecules:
- MHC Class I: Found on all nucleated cells, presents endogenous antigens (produced inside the cell). This presentation triggers cytotoxic T cells to eliminate infected cells.
- MHC Class II: Found mainly on APCs, presents exogenous antigens (taken up from outside the cell). This presentation triggers helper T cells to activate other immune cells.
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Clonal Selection: The process by which lymphocytes with receptors specific for an antigen proliferate and differentiate upon exposure to that antigen.
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Somatic Hypermutation: A process of random mutations in the variable regions of antibody genes during B cell development, leading to increased antibody affinity for the target antigen.
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Isotype Switching: B cells switch from producing IgM antibodies to other antibody isotypes (IgG, IgA, IgE) based on the type of stimulus and the site of infection.
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Diapedesis: The movement of white blood cells (leukocytes) from blood vessels into surrounding tissues by squeezing between the endothelial cells of the vessel walls.
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Phagocytosis: The engulfment and destruction of pathogens by phagocytes like neutrophils and macrophages.
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NETosis: A process by which neutrophils release DNA and proteins to form extracellular traps, which capture and kill pathogens.
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Immunological Memory: The ability of the immune system to mount a faster and more robust response to pathogens encountered previously.
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Acute Phase Response: The body's initial response to infection or injury, characterized by:
- Fever induction
- Increased vascular permeability
- Production of acute phase proteins (e.g., C-reactive protein)
Antibodies
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Immunoglobulin (Ig) Classes:
- IgM: The first antibody produced during primary immune response, found in circulation.
- IgG: Most abundant antibody in serum, can cross the placenta, has a long half-life.
- IgA: Found in secretions (mucosal surfaces), provides mucosal immunity, exists as a dimer.
- IgE: Involved in allergic reactions, binds to mast cells and basophils.
- IgD: Functions as an antigen receptor on the surface of B cells.
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Functions of Antibodies:
- Neutralize toxins: Bind to toxins to prevent their harmful effects.
- Opsonization: Coat pathogens for easier phagocytosis by macrophages and neutrophils.
- Activate complement: Trigger the complement system, leading to pathogen lysis.
Lymphatic System
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Functions of the Lymphatic System:
- Transport Lymph: Lymph is a fluid that circulates throughout the lymphatic vessels, collecting interstitial fluid from tissues.
- Filtration of Pathogens: The lymphatic system filters lymph to remove pathogens and other foreign substances.
- Maturation of Lymphocytes: The lymphatic system provides sites for the maturation of lymphocytes (T cells in the thymus and B cells in the bone marrow).
- Production of Red Blood Cells (not a function of the lymphatic system): This is primarily done in the bone marrow.
- Storage of Platelets (not a function of the lymphatic system): While platelets are essential for blood clotting, their storage and production is primarily in the bone marrow and spleen.
Immune System Organs
- Bone Marrow: Site of hematopoiesis (production of blood cells), including B cell maturation.
- Thymus: Site of T cell maturation.
- Spleen: Filters blood-borne pathogens, stores platelets, and acts as a site for lymphocyte activation.
- Lymph Nodes: Filter lymph, house lymphocytes, and are important sites for immune responses.
Other Immune Molecules
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Cytokines: Signaling molecules that regulate communication between immune cells, mediating effects like:
- Cell growth and differentiation
- Regulation of immune responses
- Inflammation
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Interferons: A type of cytokine that is produced by virally-infected cells to protect neighboring cells from infection.
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Complement System: A cascade of proteins that helps to eliminate pathogens and enhance the inflammatory response:
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Functions:
- Opsonization: Coat pathogens for easier phagocytosis.
- Chemotaxis: Attract immune cells to the site of infection.
- Membrane Attack Complex (MAC) Formation: Lysis of pathogens.
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Functions:
Hypersensitivity Reactions
- Type I (immediate) Hypersensitivity: Mediated by IgE antibodies and mast cell degranulation, leading to immediate allergic reactions.
- Type II (cytotoxic) Hypersensitivity: Involves antibodies binding to cell surface antigens, leading to cell destruction.
- Type III (immune complex) Hypersensitivity: Caused by the deposition of antigen-antibody complexes in tissues, triggering inflammation and tissue damage.
- Type IV (delayed) Hypersensitivity: Mediated by T cells, characterized by a delayed response, often involved in contact dermatitis.
Autoimmune Diseases
- Autoimmune diseases: Arise from a breakdown of self-tolerance, where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues.
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Key Features:
- Loss of self-tolerance: The immune system fails to distinguish self from non-self.
- Production of autoantibodies: Antibodies target self-antigens.
- Tissue damage: Autoimmune reactions lead to tissue damage and inflammation.
Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) Cells
- iNKT cells: Unique subset of T cells that recognize lipid antigens presented by CD1d molecules.
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Functions:
- Bridge innate and adaptive immunity.
- Rapidly produce cytokines to help control infections.
- Involved in immune surveillance and tumor recognition.
Vaccine Principles
- Recombinant Vaccines: Vaccines produced using recombinant DNA technology, where a pathogen gene is incorporated into a harmless carrier, such as a virus or bacteria.
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Characteristics of a Good Vaccine:
- Safety: Should not cause harm to recipients.
- Efficacy: Should be effective in protecting against the targeted disease.
- Ability to induce long-lasting immunity: Should provide prolonged protection.
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Whole-cell Pertussis Vaccine (not a recombinant vaccine): Consists of whole, killed pertussis bacteria.
- Tetanus Toxoid (not a recombinant vaccine): Uses a heat-inactivated toxin produced by the bacteria.
- Hepatitis B Vaccine (a recombinant vaccine): Uses a recombinant protein produced in yeast.
- Inactivated Polio Vaccine (not a recombinant vaccine): Uses inactivated polioviruses.
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Description
Explore the key differences between innate and adaptive immunity in this quiz. Learn about the components of each immune response and their specific characteristics. Test your knowledge on how the body defends itself against pathogens!