Microbiology: Immunology

Immunology Basics

• Immunology involves the study of the immune system.
• The nervous system is not a component of the immune system.
• The primary function of the immune system is to protect the body from infection.
• A successful pathogen must gain access to the body.
• Immunity is the ability of the body to ward off disease.
• Immunotherapy boosts the body's natural defenses.
• Innate immunity is present from birth

Adaptive Immunity and Immune Responses

• Adaptive immunity is characterized by memory.
• An antigen is a substance that causes the immune system to produce antibodies.
• The anamnestic response is also known as the secondary response.
• Antibodies are produced by plasma cells.
• Transporting oxygen is not a function of the immune system.
• Immune cells originate in the bone marrow.
• A macrophage is a myeloid cell.
• A T cell is a lymphoid cell.
• T cells mature in the thymus.

Lines of Defense and Barriers

• MALT is mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.
• The first line of defense includes skin and mucous membranes.
• Skin is a physical barrier.
• Normal microbiota competes with pathogens.
• The second line of defense includes phagocytes.
• Eosinophils are phagocytes.
• Redness, pain, heat, and swelling are the cardinal signs of inflammation.

Immune System Components and Processes

• The role of endogenous pyrogens is to cause fever.
• Interferon is an antimicrobial substance.
• The complement system is part of innate immunity.
• The membrane attack complex (MAC) is a component of the complement system.
• Interferons are cytokines released in response to viral infection.
• Iron-binding proteins make iron unavailable to microbes.
• The third line of defense is adaptive and specific.
• The humoral response is mediated by antibodies.

Antibodies and Immune Molecules

• An epitope is the part of an antigen that is recognized by the immune system.
• A hapten is a low molecular weight compound that needs a carrier to induce an antibody response.
• Immunoglobulins are another name for antibodies.
• The Fc region of an antibody determines the class of antibody.
• IgG is the most abundant antibody class in serum.
• Opsonization is the process of coating an antigen to enhance phagocytosis.
• Cell-mediated immunity is primarily effective against intracellular pathogens.
• MHC class I molecules are present on all nucleated cells.
• CD4+ T cells are also known as helper T cells.