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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT a component of innate immunity?
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:
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?
Which type of immune cell is primarily responsible for antibody production?
What is the main function of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) II molecules?
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?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of adaptive immunity?
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Neutrophils are primarily involved in:
Neutrophils are primarily involved in:
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The process by which lymphocytes capable of responding to a specific antigen proliferate is called:
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?
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:
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?
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:
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?
Which of the following is NOT a function of the lymphatic system?
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Interferons are classified as:
Interferons are classified as:
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Which of the following cells does NOT perform phagocytosis?
Which of the following cells does NOT perform phagocytosis?
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The type of immunity obtained during a lifetime is called:
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?
Which of the following is an example of a recombinant vaccine?
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IgM antibodies are primarily:
IgM antibodies are primarily:
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Monocytes differentiate into:
Monocytes differentiate into:
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of IgG antibodies?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of IgG antibodies?
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The process of diapedesis refers to:
The process of diapedesis refers to:
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Which of the following is NOT a function of the complement system?
Which of the following is NOT a function of the complement system?
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The theory of clonal selection states that:
The theory of clonal selection states that:
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a good vaccine?
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:
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?
Which of the following is NOT a function of antibodies?
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The primary site of T cell maturation is:
The primary site of T cell maturation is:
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Which of the following best describes the function of regulatory T cells?
Which of the following best describes the function of regulatory T cells?
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The process of somatic hypermutation occurs in:
The process of somatic hypermutation occurs in:
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a secondary immune response?
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:
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?
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:
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?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of innate immunity?
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The main function of natural killer (NK) cells is:
The main function of natural killer (NK) cells is:
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Which of the following is NOT a type of hypersensitivity reaction?
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:
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?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of autoimmune diseases?
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The primary function of follicular dendritic cells is:
The primary function of follicular dendritic cells is:
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Which of the following is NOT a function of cytokines?
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:
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?
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:
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?
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:
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?
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:
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?
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:
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?
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:
The primary function of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells is:
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Study Notes
Innate Immunity: The First Line of Defense
- Innate immunity comprises the body's initial defenses against pathogens, responding rapidly and non-specifically.
- Physical barriers: skin, mucous membranes, and the flow of fluids like tears and saliva prevent pathogen entry.
- Complement system: a group of proteins in the blood that help to destroy pathogens by forming pores in their cell membranes.
- Phagocytes: cells like neutrophils and macrophages engulf and destroy pathogens.
- Memory B cells are a component of adaptive immunity, not innate immunity, responsible for remembering past encounters with specific pathogens.
Adaptive Immunity: A Tailored Response
- Adaptive immunity develops over time and provides a highly specific and targeted response to pathogens.
- Thymic education: the process by which T cells learn to distinguish self-antigens from non-self antigens in the thymus, preventing autoimmune reactions.
- Clonal selection: the process in adaptive immunity where lymphocytes that recognize a specific antigen proliferate, creating an army of specialized cells against that threat.
- Antibody production: B lymphocytes are the primary producers of antibodies, which bind to and neutralize pathogens.
Key Players in Immunity
- MHC II molecules: found on professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) like dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells. They present processed antigens to CD4+ T cells, activating them to orchestrate the immune response.
- Neutrophils: highly abundant white blood cells actively involved in phagocytosis, particularly during bacterial infections.
- MHC I molecules: expressed on all nucleated cells, presenting internal peptides to CD8+ T cells. This process can trigger CD8+ T cell activation and direct killing of infected cells.
- Helper T cells (CD4+ T cells): crucial for orchestrating the immune response by activating other immune cells like cytotoxic T cells and B cells.
- Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+ T cells): directly kill infected or abnormal cells by releasing cytotoxic molecules.
- Lymphocytes: a type of white blood cell that plays a major role in adaptive immunity, including T cells and B cells.
- Natural Killer (NK) cells: part of the innate immune system, these cells contribute to the immune response by directly killing virus-infected cells and tumor cells without the need for prior sensitization.
- Professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs): specifically designed to present antigens to T cells, including dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells.
How the Immune System Adapts
- Immunological memory: a crucial characteristic of adaptive immunity. Past exposure to a pathogen allows for a faster and more robust response upon re-encounter.
- Lymphatic system: an intricate network of vessels and tissues that transport lymph fluid, filter pathogens, and contribute to lymphocyte maturation.
- Interferons: a group of cytokines produced by cells in response to viral infection. They have antiviral effects and can also activate other immune cells.
The Importance of Antibodies
- IgM antibodies: the first antibody produced during a primary immune response, primarily found in the circulation.
- IgG antibodies: the most abundant antibody in serum, capable of crossing the placenta to provide passive immunity to the fetus. They also have the longest half-life and play a crucial role in neutralizing toxins, opsonizing pathogens, and activating complement.
- Monocytes: differentiate into macrophages, powerful phagocytic cells with a wide range of roles in immunity.
- Diapedesis: the process by which white blood cells move from the blood vessels into tissues where they are needed to fight infections.
- Complement system: a group of proteins that help to kill bacteria, attract phagocytes, and promote inflammation.
- Clonal selection: a cornerstone of adaptive immunity, this process ensures that only lymphocytes specific for a particular antigen are activated and proliferate, creating a tailored immune response.
Effective Vaccines: A Boon to Immunity
- Vaccines: biological preparations that mimic a pathogen, but do not cause disease. They induce an immune response, preparing the body to fight against potential infections.
- Recombinant vaccines: produced by introducing specific genes into a host cell, stimulating the production of antigens that trigger a protective immune response.
- Phagocytosis: the process by which macrophages and other phagocytes engulf and destroy pathogens.
The Complexities of Adaptive Immunity
- Somatic hypermutation: a process that occurs in B cells, increasing the diversity of antibodies and refining their ability to bind to specific antigens.
- Secondary immune response: the second encounter with a pathogen triggers a faster and more robust response due to immunological memory, involving a greater production of antibodies, primarily IgG, and the involvement of memory cells.
- Spleen: a crucial organ in the immune system, filtering blood-borne pathogens and housing a reservoir of lymphocytes and macrophages.
- Dendritic cells: potent antigen-presenting cells that migrate from peripheral tissues to lymph nodes, activating naive T cells to initiate an immune response.
- Class switching: a process that allows B cells to switch from producing IgM antibodies to other isotypes like IgG, IgA, or IgE, tailoring the antibody response to diverse pathogens.
Understanding Hypersensitivity and Autoimmunity
- Hypersensitivity reactions: an exaggerated immune response to typically harmless substances, resulting in various allergic reactions.
- Antigen processing: the process of breaking down antigens into smaller peptides that can be presented to T cells.
- Autoimmune diseases: occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. This loss of self-tolerance leads to the production of autoantibodies and tissue damage.
- Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs): specialized cells in lymph nodes that retain antigens for a long period of time, facilitating the activation and differentiation of B cells.
The Diverse Roles of Cytokines
- Cytokines: small signaling molecules that play diverse roles in regulating immune responses, promoting cell growth and differentiation, and mediating inflammation.
- NETosis: a process by which neutrophils release DNA and proteins to form extracellular traps, immobilizing and killing bacteria.
Important Antibody Types
- IgA antibodies: the predominant type of immunoglobulin found in secretions like saliva, tears, and mucus, providing mucosal immunity against pathogens.
- Thymus: the site where T lymphocytes mature, undergoing selection processes to ensure self-tolerance and the development of a functional repertoire of T cells.
Key Aspects of Immune Regulation
- Clonal expansion: the process by which activated lymphocytes proliferate, creating a large population of cells that can effectively fight the invading pathogen.
- Immunological tolerance: a crucial mechanism preventing the immune system from attacking the body's own tissues.
- Eosinophils: a type of white blood cell involved in fighting parasitic infections, particularly helminths.
MHC Molecules and Their Role in Antigen Presentation
- MHC Class I molecules: expressed on all nucleated cells and present internal peptides to CD8+ T cells.
- Secondary response: a faster, more robust, and IgG-dominant immune response to previously encountered pathogens, driven by memory cells.
Inflammation and Immunity
- Acute phase response: the body's initial reaction to infection or injury characterized by fever, increased vascular permeability, and the production of acute phase proteins.
- Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells: a unique type of lymphocyte capable of recognizing specific lipid antigens presented by CD1d molecules, representing a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the differences between innate and adaptive immunity. This quiz covers key concepts such as physical barriers, the complement system, and the role of phagocytes. Explore how the body fights pathogens through both rapid and targeted immune responses.