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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of lymph nodes?

Regulate body temperature

Filter lymph fluid and trap pathogens (correct)

Serve as a physical barrier against pathogens

Produce antibodies directly

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of innate immunity?

Non-specific response

Specific antigen targeting (correct)

Immediate action

Lacks immunological memory

What role do mucous membranes play in the immune system?

Act as a barrier to prevent pathogen entry (correct)

Initiate inflammatory responses

Store lymph fluid for filtration

Produce antibodies like secretory IgA

Which of the following statements about adaptive immunity is true?

It involves B and T lymphocytes Signup and view all the answers

Which type of immunity uses macrophages and neutrophils for pathogen defense?

Innate immunity Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism is primarily responsible for identifying and triggering immune responses to pathogens?

Pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) Signup and view all the answers

Which barrier is considered a physiological barrier in the immune system?

Tears and saliva Signup and view all the answers

What is a common effect of inflammatory responses triggered by injury?

Increased blood flow and cytokine release Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is specifically associated with oral immunity?

Secretory IgA Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes adaptive immunity from innate immunity?

It develops specific memory to pathogens Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of antibodies in the immune system?

They are special proteins produced to attack and weaken antigens. Signup and view all the answers

Which cells are responsible for engulfing and digesting pathogens?

Phagocytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the thymus in the immune system?

To mature T lymphocytes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the process of phagocytosis?

The engulfing and digestion of pathogens by phagocytes. Signup and view all the answers

What type of immune response do antigen presenting cells initiate?

Adaptive immunity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organs is primarily involved in filtering blood and storing immune cells?

Spleen Signup and view all the answers

What are opsonins and their function in the immune system?

Molecules that coat pathogens to enhance recognition by phagocytes. Signup and view all the answers

How do mucous membranes function in the immune system?

They provide a physical barrier and trap pathogens. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cells are primarily produced in the bone marrow?

B lymphocytes Signup and view all the answers

What is apoptosis and its significance in the immune system?

It is a form of programmed cell death that maintains tissue homeostasis. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary location where Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is found?

Lining of respiratory and digestive systems Signup and view all the answers

Which immunoglobulin is responsible for causing allergic reactions?

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Signup and view all the answers

Which immunoglobulin type is the most common in blood tissues and fluids?

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of Immunoglobulin M (IgM) in the immune system?

Regulating immune response Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about Immunoglobulin D (IgD) is true?

It supports B cell maturation and activation. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the secretory form of Immunoglobulin A (IgA)?

Involved in the mucosal immune response Signup and view all the answers

In what way does IgE directly contribute to the allergic response?

By binding to mast cells to release histamine Signup and view all the answers

Which immunoglobulin is primarily involved in the secondary immune response?

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of immunoglobulin has the lowest concentration in the blood?

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes serum IgA from secretory IgA?

Ability to activate the complement system Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of neutrophils in the immune system?

Phagocytosis and destruction of pathogens Signup and view all the answers

Which cell type is involved in antigen presentation to T cells?

Macrophages Signup and view all the answers

What role do B cells play in the immune response?

Produce antibodies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about T Helper cells is true?

They are essential for mediating immune responses. Signup and view all the answers

What do dendritic cells do in the immune system?

Link innate and adaptive immunity. Signup and view all the answers

How do natural killer cells function?

They destroy infected and tumor cells directly. Signup and view all the answers

What type of immunity do cytotoxic T cells primarily participate in?

Cell-mediated immunity Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of mast cells in the immune response?

Release inflammatory mediators Signup and view all the answers

What is a major function of plasma cells in the immune system?

Producing antibodies Signup and view all the answers

Which cell type is primarily responsible for combating parasitic infections?

Eosinophils Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Terminology

Microbes: Microscopic organisms, some cause disease (pathogenic), others benefit health.
Antigen: Substances on pathogens that trigger immune responses.
Cytokine: Small proteins that regulate immune cell function and growth.
Antibody: Proteins produced by B cells to target and weaken antigens.
Phagocyte: Immune cells that engulf and digest pathogens (e.g., macrophages and neutrophils).
Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs): Process and present antigens to T cells, crucial for adaptive immunity.
Opsonins: Molecules that coat pathogens, making them more recognizable to phagocytes (e.g., IgG, C3b).
Phagocytosis: Process where phagocytes engulf and digest pathogens.
Apoptosis: Programmed cell death, eliminates unwanted cells and maintains tissue health.
Complement System: Part of the innate immune system, important for host defense, inflammation, and elimination of pathogens and damaged cells.

Key Organs and Tissues

Primary Organs: Produce specialized immune system cells, like lymphocytes.
Bone Marrow: Produces immune cells, including B lymphocytes which mature here.
Thymus: Site of T lymphocyte maturation, coordinates immune responses.
Secondary Organs: Sites where immune cells combat foreign substances.
Spleen: Filters blood, stores immune cells, breaks down old red blood cells.
Tonsils: Prevents foreign substances entering through the nose and mouth.
Lymph Nodes: Filters lymph fluid, traps pathogens to trigger antibody production.
Mucous Membranes: Immune cells lie under the mucous membranes, act as a protective barrier.

Innate vs. Adaptive Immunity

Innate immunity: First line of defense, immediate or within hours, non-specific, no memory. Includes barriers like skin and mucous membranes, and immune cells like phagocytes.
Adaptive immunity: Develops over time, specific to antigens, possesses memory. Includes B and T lymphocytes, antibody production.

Barriers of the Innate Immune System

Type	Mechanism	Example
Anatomic	Physical barriers that stop pathogens	Skin, mucous membranes of respiratory, oral, and nasal cavities
Physiological	Regulates immune response through body systems	Low pH of stomach, body temperature, chemical mediators like saliva and tears
Endocytic	Engulf and digest pathogens	Macrophages and neutrophils - target pathogens within the body
Inflammatory	Triggers immune response to injury, protects from pathogens and damage	Site of trauma, internal or external

Cells of the Immune System (White Blood Cells)

Innate System Cells
Neutrophils: Granulocyte, phagocyte. Short-lived, involved in phagocytosis, degranulation to destroy bacteria and fungi.
Macrophages: Mononuclear, phagocyte. Long-lived, involved in phagocytosis, antigen presentation to T cells, cytokine release.
Basophils: Granulocyte. Degranulation, releases histamine, enzymes, and cytokines. Involved in various allergic reactions.
Eosinophils: Granulocyte. Degranulation, releases enzymes, growth factors, and cytokines. Target parasites and various allergic reactions.
Mast Cells: Granulocyte. When activated, release inflammatory mediators and cytokines, involved in host defense against parasitic infections and allergic reactions.
Dendritic Cells: Mononuclear leukocytes. Link innate and adaptive immunity, act as messengers.
Adaptive System Cells
Lymphocytes (T Cells): Mononuclear leukocytes. Mature in the thymus.
T Helper Cells (Th): Immune response mediators.
Cytotoxic T Cells: Destroy infected and diseased cells upon activation.
Natural Killer Cells: Destroy infected and diseased cells.
Lymphocytes (B Cells): Mononuclear leukocytes. Mature in bone marrow.
Plasma Cells: Production of antibodies.
Memory Cells: Effector cells for secondary immune responses.

Antibodies (Immunoglobulins)

Special proteins produced by activated B cells to target and weaken antigens.
Each antibody has a specific role in fighting infection:
IgA: Found in secretions of respiratory and digestive systems, saliva, tears, and breast milk.
IgD: Found on the surface of B cells, supports B cell maturation and activation.
IgE: Found in skin, lungs, and mucous membranes, involved in allergic reactions.
IgG: Most common antibody in blood, tissue, and fluids.
IgM: First antibody to respond to infection.

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Test your knowledge on essential immunology terminology. This quiz covers key concepts such as microbes, antigens, antibodies, and the various immune responses. Perfect for students and those looking to enhance their understanding of the immune system.