Pharmacy 310: LEC 1: Elements of the Immune System

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of complement proteins in the innate immune response?

To directly kill virally infected cells

To release antibodies specific to pathogens

To induce cytotoxicity of foreign organisms (correct)

To act as signaling molecules to boost adaptive immunity

Which of the following is NOT a cardinal sign of inflammation?

Calor (heat)

Dolor (pain)

Pathogen presence (correct)

Rubor (redness)

What type of immunity is characterized by a highly specialized defense against one pathogen at a time, potentially taking up to a week to activate?

Adaptive immunity (correct)

Innate immunity

Cell-mediated immunity

Humoral immunity

Which cells are the predominant phagocytic cells in innate immunity?

Neutrophils (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which structures are involved in lymphocyte development and maturation?

Bone marrow and thymus (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of lymphoid tissue is associated with mucosal immune responses?

MALT (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the adaptive immune response compared to innate immunity?

Specific targeting of distinct pathogens (C) Signup and view all the answers

During infection, how do mature lymphocytes return to the bloodstream from secondary organs?

Via the thoracic duct (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of glycoproteins are interferon cytokines and what is their primary role?

Antiviral proteins released from virus-infected cells; to inhibit viral replication (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of hemopoietic stem cell lineage gives rise to lymphocytes?

Lymphoid lineage (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT part of the innate immune system's physical barriers to infection?

T-cell activation (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of vaccination or immunization?

To prepare the immune system for future encounters with a specific pathogen (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of immunity involves the production of antibodies?

Humoral immunity (B) Signup and view all the answers

What role do phagocyte cell lysosomes play in innate immunity?

Generating reactive oxygen species to kill microorganisms (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about antibodies is correct?

Immunoglobulins can bind to and neutralize foreign objects. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which feature of the adaptive immune system differentiates it from innate immunity?

Memory formation for faster response to subsequent infections (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of antigenic determinants in immune responses?

They are sites on antigens that are recognized and bound by TCRs and immunoglobulins. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the main function of hydrochloric acid in innate immunity?

Creating an acidic environment to kill pathogens (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is not associated with adaptive immunity?

Immediate response upon initial exposure to pathogens. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes T-cell receptors from immunoglobulins?

TCRs are found exclusively on T-cells, while immunoglobulins can be found in serum, body fluids, and tissues (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the spleen is false?

It plays no role in the production of antibodies. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which feature of adaptive immunity allows for a more rapid and robust response upon re-exposure to the same antigen?

Memory. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes an antigen?

A molecule that can induce a specific immune response. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Immunology Overview

Immunology studies physiological mechanisms that protect against invading microorganisms.
The immune system comprises cells and humoral factors that defend the body from infections.

Triumphs of Immunology

Protective Immunity: Achieved through vaccination or immunization, preventing severe diseases via prior exposure to attenuated pathogens.
Tissue and Organ Transplantation: Involves bone marrow transplants and the use of immunosuppression to prevent rejection.
Antibody Diagnostics and Therapeutics: Utilizes antibodies for disease diagnosis and treatment.

Elements of the Immune System

Innate Immunity: Passive immunity involving physical barriers, various cells, and soluble factors.
Adaptive Immunity: Acquired immunity that includes cell-mediated and humoral responses.

Infectious Organisms

Pathogen: Any organism capable of causing disease.
Opportunistic Pathogen: Infections that occur when an individual's defenses are weakened.

Physical Barriers to Infection

Skin and Mucosal Surfaces: Comprises layers of keratinized cells and mucus containing lysozyme, providing the first line of defense.
Ciliated Epithelial Cells: Present in the lungs to help trap and expel pathogens.

Innate Immunity: Soluble Factors

Bactericidal Factors: Include hydrochloric acid from stomach cells and superoxide production from phagocytes.
Complement Proteins: Serum glycoproteins activated during innate response to induce cytotoxic effects on pathogens.
Interferon Cytokines: Released by virus-infected cells, these small glycoproteins help combat viral infections.

Inflammatory Response

Characterized by five cardinal signs:
- Rubor (redness)
- Calor (heat)
- Dolor (pain)
- Tumor (swelling)
- Functio-laesia (loss of function)

Adaptive Immunity

Activated when the innate response is overwhelmed.
Involves white blood cells (lymphocytes) and is tailored to respond to specific pathogens.
Utilizes highly specialized receptors coded by genes for unique antigen recognition.

Leukocytes: Cells of the Immune System

Derive from pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells, leading to lymphoid, myeloid, and erythroid lineages.

Primary and Secondary Lymphoid Organs

Primary Lymphoid Organs: Bone marrow and thymus, where lymphocytes develop and mature.
Secondary Lymphoid Tissues: Include spleen, adenoids, tonsils, appendix, lymph nodes, and Peyer’s patches, where activated lymphocytes respond to pathogens.

Principal Lymphoid Tissues

GALT: Gut-associated lymphoid tissue, encompassing tonsils, adenoids, appendix, and Peyer’s patches.
BALT: Bronchial-associated lymphoid tissue, less organized aggregates.
MALT: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues.

Lymphatics and Lymph Node Function

Lymphatics collect extracellular fluid from connective tissues and return it to venous circulation.
Mature lymphocytes recirculate through lymphatics to effectively respond to pathogens in secondary organs.

Adaptive Immunity Specifics

Immunoglobulin (Ig): Proteins produced by B-lymphocytes that bind to and neutralize foreign substances.
T-cell Receptors (TCRs): Recognize antigens specifically and are found exclusively on T-cells.

Antigen Characteristics

Antigen (Ag): Any substance capable of eliciting a specific immune response.
An antigenic determinant (epitope) is the specific part of the antigen recognized by TCRs and Igs.

Key Attributes of Adaptive Immunity

Specificity: Reacts to distinct antigens.
Memory: Remembers encounters; future responses are faster and stronger.
Amplification: Clonal expansion of lymphocytes upon encounter with an antigen.
Modulation: Switching of antibody isotypes in response to changing immune challenges.

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of the immune system in this Pharmacy 310 quiz. Delve into the physiological mechanisms and cells involved in defending the body against infections. Test your understanding of immunology and the triumphs achieved in this vital field.