Introduction to Immunology

The immune system's specific and second line of defense.

Immune cells that create antibodies.

Antibodies, proteins that target and neutralize pathogens.

Immune cells involved in cell-mediated immunity.

Immune response involving T cells directly attacking infected cells.

The clumping of particles, like red blood cells.

Cells crucial for carrying oxygen throughout the body.

A system classifying blood types based on antigens.

Actions causing the combination of substances.

Different categories of blood based on antigens.

Animal interferons are not usable in humans due to genetic differences.

Innate immune systems have fewer genes than adaptive immune systems.

The innate immune system's gene count is lower than the adaptive immune system's gene count.

The genetic makeup of innate and adaptive immune systems are different, making animal interferons unsuitable for human use.

Innate immune systems have fewer genes than the adaptive immune system.

A type of lymphocyte (white blood cell) that is involved in the humoral immune response.

An organ in chickens where B cells mature.

A type of lymphocyte (white blood cell) involved in the cellular immune response.

The organ where T cells mature.

The process of blood cell production.

When an antigen (a foreign substance) meets its specific antibody (a protein that recognizes and binds to it).

The process where a specific lymphocyte, which has encountered its matching antigen, is chosen to multiply.

The rapid multiplication of a selected lymphocyte, creating many identical copies called clones.

Identical copies of a specific lymphocyte, each with the same ability to recognize and bind to the same antigen.

The specific shapes of antibodies that are designed to bind to specific antigens.

A disease caused by microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, or fungi that can spread from person to person or through the environment.

The number of microorganisms that must enter the host body to cause an infection.

The severity or harmfulness of a disease-causing microorganism.

The body's natural mechanisms to fight off infections, including physical barriers, immune cells, and antimicrobial substances.

The likelihood of getting infected, which can be estimated by considering the infectious dose, virulence, and host defenses.

Phagocytic cells that survive and continue to engulf pathogens during an immune response, unlike neutrophils which die.

The process where specialized cells, like neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages, engulf and destroy foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, and cellular debris.

A type of white blood cell that acts as a first responder, diligently engulfing and destroying invading pathogens but often sacrificing themselves in the process.

Larger phagocytic cells that engulf and destroy pathogens. They can also present antigens to other immune cells, triggering a more targeted immune response.

The person credited with pioneering blood transfusion techniques.

The discovery of two crucial immune cells, B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes, laying the foundation for understanding the immune system.

The immune system is composed of two major branches: the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system.

Spreading of infections (like viruses) through tiny particles of saliva or mucus expelled when a person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to remove germs and viruses.

A covering for the nose and mouth that helps prevent the spread of droplets from the wearer's breath.

Paper or cloth used to cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing to trap droplets.

Surgical procedure where a donor organ replaces a failing organ in a recipient.

A condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues.

Immune cells that actively fight off pathogens by producing antibodies or engulfing them.

Ancient Greek scientist observed immunity after plague infection, suggesting that exposure might provide protection in the future.

Exposure to pathogens triggers the immune system to remember and create specific defenses, preventing future infections.

This theory proposes that specific immune cells (B and T cells) with unique antigen receptors are activated only when they encounter their matching antigen. It's like finding a key that fits a specific lock.

This theory suggests that antigens directly instruct immune cells to produce antibodies specific to the antigen. It's like providing a blueprint for the immune system to follow.

The unique protein on the surface of B and T cells that recognizes and binds to a specific antigen. It's like a lock that can only be opened by a specific key.

When an antigen binds to its specific receptor on a B or T cell, it triggers a series of events that activate the cell, leading to the production of antibodies or the destruction of infected cells.

The specific antigen that matches and binds to the unique receptor on a B or T cell. It's like the right key for the specific lock.

The body's first line of defense against pathogens, working quickly and nonspecifically to neutralize threats.

It uses non-specific mechanisms like physical barriers (skin, mucus), phagocytosis (engulfing by cells), and inflammatory responses, to fight off a wide range of pathogens.

Neutrophils are first responders, quickly engulfing pathogens, but they often die in the process. Macrophages survive and can also present antigens to other immune cells.

It doesn't need to recognize specific threats like the adaptive immune system does, making it quicker to respond.

White blood cells that produce antibodies, proteins that bind to specific antigens and neutralize pathogens.

White blood cells that directly attack infected cells or regulate the immune response.

A group of proteins in the blood that work together to destroy pathogens. Think of it as a 'complement' to the immune system.

A protein that binds to certain sugars found on the surface of bacteria, activating the complement system to fight infection.

Proteins produced by cells infected with viruses that signal other cells to prepare for a viral attack. Like shouting 'Fire!' in a crowded theater!

Chemicals released by immune cells and tissues to attract other immune cells to the site of infection, promoting inflammation.

Different types of interferons with distinct functions. Alpha and beta help fight viruses directly. Gamma aids in immune cell communication.

Pattern recognition molecules found on innate immune cells that recognize broad patterns on pathogens. They are not specific to individual pathogens.

Antigen recognition molecules, like TCR and BCR, found on adaptive immune cells. These receptors are highly specific and recognize unique features of individual pathogens.

The adaptive immune system has a vast number of genes, allowing for a diverse and specific response to various pathogens.

The adaptive immune system takes time to generate specific antibodies or T cells that can recognize and target a particular pathogen. This is because it needs to identify the unique features of the invading pathogen before mounting a targeted response.

A third dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine is given to ensure a high level of antibodies reaches the protective level.

The amount of antibodies in the blood needed to effectively fight off a specific pathogen.

A virus that can cause serious liver damage.

We don't usually give a fourth and fifth dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine because the third dose provides a sufficiently high and long-lasting antibody protection against the virus.

The immune system develops a memory of the pathogen and can quickly produce antibodies if exposed again.

A condition where the kidneys are unable to properly filter waste and excess fluids from the blood.

A medical procedure that uses a machine to filter the blood of a person with kidney failure.

A surgical procedure where a healthy kidney from a donor is placed into a patient with kidney failure.

Kidney transplantation is needed for patients with kidney failure because it provides a long-term solution to their condition and eliminates the need for frequent hemodialysis.

Kidney transplantation carries risks such as rejection by the recipient's immune system and potential complications from the surgery.

A condition where the number of neutrophils in the blood is abnormally low, making the individual more susceptible to infections.

Specialized cells, like neutrophils and macrophages, that engulf and destroy foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, and cellular debris.

The process where phagocytic cells engulf and destroy harmful entities like bacteria and viruses.

Neutropenia makes an individual more vulnerable to infections because there are fewer neutrophils to fight off pathogens.

Cells that engulf and destroy foreign invaders (like bacteria, viruses) by essentially swallowing them. Examples include neutrophils and macrophages.

Immune cells that directly kill infected or abnormal cells without needing to be told what to target. They're part of the innate immune system.

The body's physical barriers that prevent pathogens from entering the body. Skin acts as a tough outer layer, while mucus traps invaders.