30 Questions
What is immunocompetence?
The ability of the body to react with countless foreign substances
Where do B cells mature?
Bone marrow
What is the function of an antigen presenting cell (APC)?
To present antigens to T cells
What is the result of mitosis after lymphocyte activation?
Production of many clones
Where do T cells migrate to for further development?
Thymus
What is the role of B and T cells upon reaching secondary lymphoid tissues?
Equipped to respond to a single, unique antigen
What is the key feature of each naïve lymphocyte?
Bearing an antigen receptor that recognizes a unique antigen
What is the characteristic of specific immunity with respect to antigen recognition?
Highly specific to the antigen against which the third line of defense is directed
What is the process that specializes lymphocytes for reacting to only one specific antigen?
Selective process during lymphocyte development
Which type of T cell is responsible for preventing autoimmunity?
Regulatory T cell
What is the function of specific immunity in the context of autoimmune diseases?
Prevents autoimmune diseases
Which antibody class is present in secretions from mucous membranes?
IgA
What is the function of IgE antibody?
Stimulates mast cells to recruit eosinophils
What is the biological function of IgG antibody?
Long-term immunity; memory antibodies
What is the function of perforins in cytotoxic T cell activation?
Punches holes in the membranes of target cells
What is the primary function of B cells when activated by antigen?
Release antibodies into the tissue and blood
What is the main function of memory T cells?
Quickly convert into large numbers of effector T cells upon re-exposure to the specific invading antigen
What is the role of IgM antibody in the immune response?
Produced at first response to antigen; can serve as B-cell receptor
What is the function of killer T cells (CD8 cells)?
Kill other cells
What is the purpose of monitoring antibody production over time?
To determine how the immune system reacts to antigen
What is the function of B-cells in the immune system?
Produce immunoglobulins, which are antibodies
What are the components of immunoglobulins (antibodies)?
Constant and variable regions, and a Y-shaped arrangement with two binding sites
What leads to antibody variability?
Interchangeable sections in the gene for the binding region
How do T cell receptors differ from B cell receptors?
T cell receptors are smaller and never secreted
What types of molecules do B cell receptors recognize?
Many types of molecules
What is the function of clonal deletion in the immune system?
Remove potentially harmful clones, forming the basis of immune tolerance
What are antigens in the context of the immune system?
Chemical substances that bind to immune cells and can be immunogens or haptens
What are alloantigens in the context of the immune system?
Cell surface markers that occur in some members of the same species but not in others
What are epitopes in the context of the immune system?
The portion of the antigen molecule recognized by lymphocytes, signaling foreignness
What is the function of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) in the immune system?
Codes for cell surface proteins and presents antigens to T cells
Study Notes
Understanding the Immune System
- B-cells "home" to lymphoid tissue and produce immunoglobulins, which are antibodies.
- Immunoglobulins have constant and variable regions, and a Y-shaped arrangement with two binding sites.
- The gene for the binding region has interchangeable sections, leading to antibody variability.
- T cell receptors are similar to B cell receptors but are smaller and never secreted.
- B cell receptors recognize many types of molecules, while T cell receptors recognize only proteins.
- Clonal deletion removes potentially harmful clones, forming the basis of immune tolerance.
- Antigens are chemical substances that bind to immune cells and can be immunogens or haptens.
- Epitopes are the portion of the antigen molecule recognized by lymphocytes, signaling foreignness.
- Alloantigens are cell surface markers that occur in some members of the same species but not in others.
- Superantigens are potent stimuli for T cells, activating them at a rate 100 times greater than ordinary antigens.
- The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) codes for cell surface proteins and presents antigens to T cells.
- Antigen presenting cells, such as dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells, present antigens to T-lymphocytes.
Test your knowledge of the immune system with this quiz covering B-cells, T-cells, antibodies, antigens, MHC, and more. Challenge yourself with questions on immune tolerance, clonal deletion, and the role of antigen presenting cells.
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