Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary role of the complement system in the immune response?
What is the primary role of the complement system in the immune response?
- To activate B cells for antibody production
- To enhance the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells (correct)
- To produce antibodies exclusively
- To directly kill all pathogens encountered
How are complement proteins activated?
How are complement proteins activated?
- By proteolytic cleavage of their zymogen precursors (correct)
- Via cytokine signaling from T cells
- Through a cycle of phosphorylation events
- Through direct binding to pathogens
What does cross reactivity in antibodies refer to?
What does cross reactivity in antibodies refer to?
- An antibody's inability to recognize small molecular changes
- An antibody's capacity to react with different types of pathogens
- An antibody's ability to bind only to its specific antigen
- An antibody's ability to react with multiple antigenic determinants (correct)
What initiates the cascade of activation in the complement system?
What initiates the cascade of activation in the complement system?
What type of enzyme is generated during the complement activation cascade?
What type of enzyme is generated during the complement activation cascade?
What was the significance of Edward Jenner's experiment with cowpox and smallpox?
What was the significance of Edward Jenner's experiment with cowpox and smallpox?
Which of the following describes the primary function of the immune system?
Which of the following describes the primary function of the immune system?
In what way does the innate immune system respond to pathogens?
In what way does the innate immune system respond to pathogens?
What is a key characteristic of the innate immune system?
What is a key characteristic of the innate immune system?
What happens when the immune system fails to function properly?
What happens when the immune system fails to function properly?
How does the immune system distinguish between self and non-self cells?
How does the immune system distinguish between self and non-self cells?
Which type of immunity is characterized by its non-specific response?
Which type of immunity is characterized by its non-specific response?
What does the term 'antigen-independent response' refer to in the context of the innate immune system?
What does the term 'antigen-independent response' refer to in the context of the innate immune system?
What is the main purpose of using a capture antibody in an assay?
What is the main purpose of using a capture antibody in an assay?
What is one advantage of using an enzyme-linked conjugated antibody in assays?
What is one advantage of using an enzyme-linked conjugated antibody in assays?
In a competitive assay, what is indicated by a lower assay signal?
In a competitive assay, what is indicated by a lower assay signal?
Which statement accurately describes the secondary antibody's function?
Which statement accurately describes the secondary antibody's function?
What challenge may arise when choosing the right antibody for an assay?
What challenge may arise when choosing the right antibody for an assay?
What is a limitation of using a competitive assay format?
What is a limitation of using a competitive assay format?
Which aspect is NOT generally associated with Western Blotting?
Which aspect is NOT generally associated with Western Blotting?
What does the term 'sandwich' refer to in the context of antibody assays?
What does the term 'sandwich' refer to in the context of antibody assays?
What is the role of Factor D in the complement pathway?
What is the role of Factor D in the complement pathway?
Which complex is responsible for cleaving C5 in the complement pathway?
Which complex is responsible for cleaving C5 in the complement pathway?
What is one of the key functions of the complement system?
What is one of the key functions of the complement system?
Which of the following statements about primary lymphoid organs is true?
Which of the following statements about primary lymphoid organs is true?
What happens to necrotic cells in relation to the complement system?
What happens to necrotic cells in relation to the complement system?
How does the complement system respond to viral infections?
How does the complement system respond to viral infections?
What completes the loop created by C3 convertase in the complement pathway?
What completes the loop created by C3 convertase in the complement pathway?
What is the final outcome of all complement pathways?
What is the final outcome of all complement pathways?
What is the purpose of heating the sample during sample preparation in Western blotting?
What is the purpose of heating the sample during sample preparation in Western blotting?
Which component is essential in the blocking step to prevent non-specific binding of antibodies in Western blotting?
Which component is essential in the blocking step to prevent non-specific binding of antibodies in Western blotting?
What is the role of gel electrophoresis in the Western blotting process?
What is the role of gel electrophoresis in the Western blotting process?
During the membrane transfer phase, in which direction do negatively charged proteins migrate?
During the membrane transfer phase, in which direction do negatively charged proteins migrate?
What is the most likely consequence of inadequate wash steps during Western blotting?
What is the most likely consequence of inadequate wash steps during Western blotting?
What type of substrate may be used in the detection step of Western blotting?
What type of substrate may be used in the detection step of Western blotting?
What is the purpose of using a total protein stain during immunodetection in Western blotting?
What is the purpose of using a total protein stain during immunodetection in Western blotting?
Which protein characteristic dictates how proteins migrate during gel electrophoresis?
Which protein characteristic dictates how proteins migrate during gel electrophoresis?
Study Notes
A Brief History of Immunology
- Edward Jenner's 1798 observation of milkmaids' immunity to smallpox after cowpox infection led to the development of the smallpox vaccine.
What is Immunology?
- The study of the immune system and its role in protecting the body against disease.
- Focuses on molecules, cells, organs, and systems responsible for recognizing and eliminating foreign materials.
Overview of Immune System Function
- Defends against microbes, fungi, viruses, pathogens, and transplanted organs.
- Destroys abnormal or dead cells.
- Distinguishes between "self" and "non-self" cells.
Immune System Dysfunction
- Deficiencies or dysfunctions can cause disorders including cancers and autoimmune diseases (type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus).
Major Subdivisions of the Immune System
- Innate Immune System: First line of defense; non-specific, immediate maximal response, no immunological memory.
- Adaptive Immune System: Specific, slower response, immunological memory (discussed in later lectures).
Cross Reactivity
- An antibody's ability to react with more than one antigenic determinant.
The Complement System
- Part of the innate immune system; enhances antibody and phagocytic cell function.
- Clears microbes and damaged cells, promotes inflammation, attacks pathogen cell membranes.
- Composed of inactive precursor proteins (zymogens) synthesized by the liver; activated by proteolytic cleavage.
- Activation occurs through a triggered-enzyme cascade.
- All pathways (Classical, Lectin, Alternative) converge at C3 cleavage.
- Main functions: inflammation, phagocytosis, Membrane Attack Complex (MAC) formation.
- Other key functions: removal of immune complexes and necrotic cells; responses to viruses.
Primary and Secondary Lymphoid Organs
- Primary Lymphoid Organs: Bone marrow (hematopoietic stem cell production, B cell and NK cell maturation); Thymus (T cell maturation).
- Secondary Lymphoid Organs: Sites of immune responses (discussed in later lectures).
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
- Sandwich ELISA: Uses capture and detection antibodies to create a "sandwich" for target detection. Highly sensitive and specific, rapid, requires little sample preparation.
- Competitive ELISA: Sample antigen competes with labeled antigen for antibody binding. Lower signal indicates more antigen in sample. Less specific, useful for small targets.
Western Blotting
- Detects specific proteins in a mixture; determines protein size and amount.
- Procedure: Sample preparation (lysis, reduction, denaturation), gel electrophoresis (protein separation by size), membrane transfer (proteins transferred to membrane), immunodetection (blocking, primary/secondary antibody incubation, detection).
- Membrane Transfer: Proteins transferred from gel to membrane using an electrical current in a cold buffer.
- Blocking Step: Prevents non-specific antibody binding (using BSA or milk).
- Wash Steps: Remove unbound reagents to reduce background.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the fascinating history and functions of the immune system. This quiz covers key concepts from Edward Jenner's smallpox vaccine development to the intricacies of immune system dysfunctions and subdivisions. Test your knowledge on how our bodies defend against diseases and what happens when this system falters.
