40 Questions
What is the primary function of the epidermal layer of the skin?
To provide a barrier against microorganisms
What is the name of the protein that forms a waterproof protective layer in the skin?
Keratin
Which of the following structures impede water loss and microbial penetration in the skin?
Tight junctions
What are the three passageways that penetrate into the body's interior and provide a route for microbes to enter?
Respiratory, digestive, and urinary tracts
What is the process by which epidermal cells are produced and replaced?
Cell division and differentiation
What is the major function of the dermis layer of the skin?
To provide a rich vascular supply
What is the primary function of pyrogens in the body?
To regulate the body's temperature
What is the result of a severe fever on vital body proteins?
They are denatured (coagulated)
What is the effect of mild fevers on the spleen and liver?
They remove additional iron from the blood
What is the role of macrophages in the immune response?
They phagocytize dead cells, cell fragments, dead bacteria, and viruses
What is the effect of fever on the replication of disease-causing bacteria?
It reduces their replication
What is the source of some interferons in the body?
Cells infected by viruses
What can tiny breaks in the skin or in the lining of the respiratory, digestive, or urinary tracts permit to enter the body?
Potentially harmful microorganisms
What is characterized by redness, swelling, and pain?
The inflammatory response
What type of cells are attracted to the wound site by certain chemical substances released by injured tissue?
Macrophages and neutrophils
What is the yellowish fluid that exudes from the wound, containing dead white blood cells, microorganisms, and cellular debris?
Pus
What is the primary function of macrophages and neutrophils at the wound site?
To engulf bacteria
What is the term for the heat given off by a wound, which refers to the inflammatory response?
Inflammatory
What is the result of the membrane-attack complex embedding in the plasma membrane of bacteria?
It creates an opening into which water flows.
What is the role of some activated complement proteins in the inflammatory response?
To stimulate the dilation of blood vessels
What is the function of the C3b protein in the immune response?
It forms a rough coat on microorganisms to facilitate phagocytosis
What is the role of certain complement proteins in the immune response?
They act as chemical attractants, drawing macrophages and neutrophils to the site of infection
What is the characteristic of the immune system as a third line of defense?
It is a diffuse system, spread out and indistinct
What is the role of lymphocytes in the immune system?
They are part of the immune system
What is the primary function of the immune system?
To eliminate foreign organisms and substances
Where can immune cells be found in the body?
In the blood, lymph, and lymphoid organs
What is one of the benefits of optimal immune system function?
Reduced risk of cancer and other severe illnesses
What is the role of the immune system in preventing disease?
It helps to eliminate foreign substances and organisms
Which of the following is NOT a function of the immune system?
Regulating body temperature
What is the relationship between nutrition and immune system function?
Optimal nutrition is required for optimal immune system function
What is the primary mechanism by which interferons regulate cancer cell growth?
By regulating the expression of genes that suppress the production of certain cellular proteins that stimulate growth
What is the purpose of using recombinant DNA technology in the production of interferons?
To mass produce proteins in the laboratory
What is the estimated percentage of patients who experience side effects from interferon therapy?
50%
What is the mechanism by which the complement system is activated?
Through a chain reaction triggered by the activation of one complement protein
What is the primary function of the complement proteins in the immune system?
To complement the action of antibodies
What is the outcome of the chain reaction triggered by the activation of the complement system?
The destruction of foreign cells through the formation of a membrane-attack complex
What is the effect of high doses of interferon on liver function?
It can lead to liver failure
What is the purpose of administering pain medications and antihistamines to patients receiving interferon therapy?
To reduce the side effects of interferon therapy
What is the relationship between the complement system and antibody production?
The complement system complements the action of antibodies
What is the reason why the side effects of interferon therapy typically decrease after repeated injections?
The body becomes desensitized to the side effects of the interferon
Learn about the human body's defense mechanisms against microorganisms, including the first, second, and third lines of defense. Understand the roles of skin and other components in protecting against infection.
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