Lymphatic System and Body Defenses Quiz

The spleen is responsible for storing platelets and serving as a blood reservoir, filtering blood, and removing old or damaged red blood cells.

The tonsils are located in the throat (pharynx), specifically at the entrance of the respiratory and digestive tracts.

The acid mantle is a protective layer of slightly acidic sebum and sweat on the skin's surface that helps inhibit bacterial growth.

Natural killer (NK) cells directly target and destroy infected cells and cancer cells by releasing cytotoxic substances that induce cell lysis (bursting).

The body's first line of defense against invading pathogens is the skin and mucous membranes. These act as physical barriers and secrete substances that inhibit microbial growth.

An antihistamine prevents the release or action of histamine, a chemical released during an allergic reaction, which is the primary cause of redness and swelling in the inflammatory response.

The inflammatory response is a nonspecific immune response that involves redness, swelling, heat, and pain. It helps to isolate and destroy pathogens, while promoting tissue healing.

Nonspecific body defenses are a broad range of mechanisms that protect the body from a wide variety of pathogens without targeting specific ones. Examples include intact skin, mucous membranes, the inflammatory response, fever, natural killer cells, and antimicrobial proteins.

The body's specific defense system that recognizes and targets particular pathogens or foreign substances. It provides long-lasting immunity to specific threats.

A type of adaptive immunity involving antibodies present in bodily fluids (like blood and lymph) that neutralize pathogens.

A type of adaptive immunity that utilizes T lymphocytes (T cells) to directly attack and destroy infected cells or pathogens.

White blood cells that develop immunocompetence, meaning they can recognize and respond to specific antigens.

Specific molecules, usually proteins or carbohydrates, on the surface of pathogens or foreign substances that the immune system recognizes and responds to.

The immune system's ability to distinguish between its own cells (self) and foreign cells (non-self) to avoid attacking its own tissues.

The ability of lymphocytes to recognize and respond to specific antigens, acquired during development.

B cells gain immunocompetence (ability to recognize specific antigens) within the bone marrow.

The lymphatic system consists of lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes, responsible for fluid balance, immune function, and lipid absorption.

Lymph fluid travels through lymphatic vessels and eventually rejoins the bloodstream through the subclavian veins.

Lymph nodes filter bacteria, viruses, and tumor cells from lymph fluid, which is a fluid similar to blood but clear.

The spleen is a vital part of the lymphatic system. It filters blood, stores white blood cells, and removes old red blood cells.

The thymus gland is where T cells, a type of white blood cell, mature and develop immune competence.

The adaptive immune system is a specific defense mechanism that targets specific pathogens and remembers them for future encounters.

The innate immune system provides a non-specific defense against pathogens and is the body's first line of defense.

While all lymphocytes are involved in the immune response, only B cells produce antibodies, which are proteins that target specific antigens.

When soluble antigens become insoluble and settle out of solution, this process is called precipitation. It enhances phagocytosis by making the antigens easier to capture.

The initial immune response to an antigen. It involves B cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation into plasma cells that secrete antibodies. Some B cells become memory cells.

The immune response to a previously encountered antigen. It is faster, stronger, and more effective than the primary response due to the presence of memory cells.

Cells that engulf antigens and present fragments of them on their surface, along with their own MHC molecules, for recognition by T cells. They are crucial for initiating adaptive immune responses.

The initial barrier against pathogens, which includes physical barriers like skin and mucous membranes, along with chemical factors like antimicrobial peptides.

Hair-like projections that line the airways, sweeping mucus containing trapped dust and bacteria upwards towards the mouth, preventing them from entering the lungs.

A sticky substance that traps dust, bacteria, and other harmful particles in the airways, preventing them from reaching the lungs.

Damaged or destroyed cilia lead to increased risk of infections in the respiratory system, as they are less effective at removing inhaled particles and pathogens.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a type of T lymphocyte that suppress or inhibit the activity of other immune cells, like B cells and T cells, once an infection has been cleared.

A plasma cell is a type of B lymphocyte that produces large amounts of a specific antibody, or immunoglobulin, in response to an antigen.

Cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) are a type of T lymphocyte that directly kill infected cells, such as those infected with viruses, cancer cells, or cells from a foreign organ transplant.

An antigen-presenting cell (APC) is a type of immune cell that engulfs and processes antigens (foreign substances), presenting fragments of them on its surface for recognition by T cells.

A memory cell is a type of lymphocyte (B or T cell) that persists in the body for a long time, ready to quickly mount an immune response if the same antigen is encountered again.

Helper T cells (Th cells) play a crucial role in coordinating the adaptive immune response by activating other immune cells, such as B cells and cytotoxic T cells, to fight off infection.

Lymph is formed from blood plasma that leaks out of capillaries into the surrounding tissues, becoming interstitial fluid. This fluid is then collected by lymphatic capillaries, which then begin transporting it as lymph.

Removal of lymph nodes can lead to edema (swelling) in the affected area because the lymph nodes are responsible for draining excess interstitial fluid from the tissues. With their removal, the fluid can accumulate, causing swelling.

An antibody primarily involved in allergic reactions. It binds to allergens and triggers the release of histamine from mast cells, leading to symptoms like sneezing, itching, and inflammation.

The most abundant antibody in blood plasma, providing long-lasting immunity. It can cross the placenta, protecting the fetus. IgG is responsible for neutralizing toxins, viruses, and bacteria, and it can activate complement.

The first antibody produced during a primary immune response. IgM exists as a pentamer (five units) and has the highest binding capacity. It activates complement and is involved in agglutination.

A process where antibodies bind to antigens on the surface of pathogens, activating complement proteins. Complement proteins then initiate a cascade of reactions that lead to the lysis (destruction) of the pathogen.

The clumping together of antigens by antibodies. This occurs when multiple antibodies bind to multiple antigens on the surface of pathogens, leading to their inactivation and clearance from the body.

The process where antibodies bind to and block the active sites of pathogens, preventing them from interacting with host cells and causing harm. This is a key mechanism of defense against toxins and viruses.

A type of T cell that helps activate other immune cells. Helper T cells release cytokines, which act as signaling molecules to stimulate B cells to produce antibodies and cytotoxic T cells to destroy infected cells.

A graft that involves transplanting tissue or organs from a different species to a recipient. This type of graft is the least successful because of significant immune rejection due to major differences in antigens between species.