Understanding the Immune System
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of the immune system?

  • To transport oxygen throughout the body
  • To protect the body from harmful antigens (correct)
  • To produce hormones
  • To regulate body temperature

Which of the following describes the term 'immunity'?

  • The body's ability to resist or eliminate harmful antigens (correct)
  • A condition where the body attacks foreign tissues only
  • The body's inability to respond to antigens
  • An overreaction of the body to its own tissues

What condition is indicated when the immune system cannot adequately defend the body against antigens?

  • Autoimmunity
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Inflammation
  • Immunodeficiency (correct)

What immunological process occurs when the immune system overreacts to foreign antigens or reacts against its own tissues?

<p>Hypersensitivity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of immunity is present from birth?

<p>Innate immunity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of immunity develops after exposure to an antigen?

<p>Acquired immunity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a physical barrier that provides the first line of defense in innate immunity?

<p>Skin (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the inflammatory response in innate immunity?

<p>To limit the spread of infection (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does elevated body temperature contribute to the innate immune response?

<p>It inhibits the growth of some pathogens (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of natural killer (NK) cells?

<p>To recognize and destroy infected or cancerous cells (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the complement system?

<p>A system that enhances the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the production of antibodies and cell-mediated immunity?

<p>Antigens (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is active immunity acquired?

<p>Through the body's own production of antibodies and T cells (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes passive immunity?

<p>Immediate but temporary protection acquired by receiving ready-made antibodies (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which lymphoid organ produces lymphocytes?

<p>Bone marrow (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where do T lymphocytes undergo processing?

<p>Thymus gland (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of lymph nodes?

<p>To filter lymph and activate lymphocytes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which lymphoid organ filters blood and activates lymphocytes?

<p>Spleen (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which cells recognize and respond to antigens?

<p>Lymphocytes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of macrophages?

<p>Engulfing and digesting pathogens and debris (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do cytokines play in the immune system?

<p>They regulate immune responses (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of T helper cells (CD4 cells)?

<p>Enhancing antibody production and cell-mediated immunity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which cells directly kill infected or cancerous cells?

<p>Cytotoxic T cells (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of Suppressor T cells?

<p>To suppress the immune response to prevent excessive or harmful reactions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do B cells differentiate into?

<p>Plasma cells (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is another name for antibodies?

<p>Immunoglobulins (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which antibody is the most abundant in the blood and provides long-term immunity?

<p>IgG (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which antibody is found in mucous membranes and body secretions, protecting mucosal surfaces?

<p>IgA (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which antibody is the first to be produced during an infection?

<p>IgM (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which antibody mediates allergic reactions and defends against parasites?

<p>IgE (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

IgD is found on which type of cells?

<p>B cells (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does age affect immune function?

<p>Infants and older adults have decreased immune function (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does malnutrition affect immune responses?

<p>It impairs immune responses (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does chronic stress have on the immune system?

<p>It suppresses the immune system (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following medications can weaken immunity?

<p>Immunosuppressants and corticosteroids (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can chronic diseases and infections affect immune function?

<p>They can compromise immune function (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What information is typically included in a health history assessment related to immune function?

<p>Past infections, immunizations, allergies, autoimmune disorders, and medications (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a white blood cell count (WBC) measure?

<p>The number of leukocytes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a differential WBC count determine?

<p>Proportions of different types of leukocytes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do T cell and B cell counts measure?

<p>Lymphocyte populations (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of allergy testing?

<p>To identify specific allergens causing hypersensitivity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do autoantibody tests identify?

<p>Antibodies against the body's own tissues (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of infection prevention in maintaining immune function?

<p>Reducing the strain on the immune system by preventing infection (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Immune System

Protects the body from bacteria, viruses, toxins, and foreign tissue.

Immunity

The body's ability to resist or eliminate harmful antigens.

Immunodeficiency

Immune system is unable to defend the body against antigens.

Hypersensitivity

Immune system is overreactive against foreign antigens or reacts against its own tissue.

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Innate Immunity

Present at birth, provides nonspecific responses to any foreign invader.

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Acquired Immunity

Develops after exposure to an antigen, targets specific invaders.

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Physical/Chemical Barriers

Skin, mucous membranes, cilia, and stomach acid provide the first line of defense.

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Inflammatory Response

Limits the spread of infection through vasodilation and increased capillary permeability.

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Elevated Body Temperature

Inhibits the growth of some pathogens

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Natural Killer Cells (NK)

Lymphocytes that recognize and destroy infected or cancerous cells.

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Complement System

Enhances antibodies and phagocytic cells, promotes inflammation, attacks pathogen's membrane.

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Antigens

Trigger the production of antibodies and cell-mediated immunity, creating a specific response.

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Active Immunity

Results from the body's own production of antibodies and T cells after exposure to an antigen.

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Passive Immunity

Acquired when ready-made antibodies are given, providing immediate but temporary protection.

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Bone Marrow

Produces lymphocytes.

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Thymus Gland

Processes T lymphocytes.

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Lymph Nodes

Filters lymph and activates lymphocytes.

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Spleen

Filters blood and activates lymphocytes.

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Lymphocytes

Recognize and respond to antigens.

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Macrophages

Engulf and digest pathogens and debris.

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Cytokines

Chemical messengers that regulate immune responses.

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T Helper Cells (CD4)

Enhance antibody production and cell-mediated immunity.

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Cytotoxic T Cells (CD8)

Directly kill infected or cancerous cells.

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Suppressor T Cells

Suppress the immune response to prevent excessive or harmful reactions.

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B Lymphocytes

Differentiate into plasma cells that produce antibodies.

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Antibodies (Immunoglobulins)

Bind to specific antigens, marking them for destruction.

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IgG

Most abundant antibody in the blood, providing long-term immunity.

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IgA

Found in mucous membranes and body secretions, protecting mucosal surfaces.

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IgM

First antibody produced during an infection.

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IgE

Mediates allergic reactions and defends against parasites.

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IgD

Found on B cells and helps in B cell activation.

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Age (Immune Function)

Infants and older adults have decreased immune function.

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Nutrition (Immune Function)

Malnutrition impairs immune responses.

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Stress (Immune Function)

Chronic stress suppresses the immune system.

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Medications (Immune Function)

Immunosuppressants and corticosteroids weaken immunity.

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Illness (Immune Function)

Chronic diseases and infections can compromise immune function.

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Health History (Immune)

Includes past infections, immunizations, allergies, autoimmune disorders, and medications.

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Physical Exam (Immune)

Assessing skin, mucous membranes, lymph nodes, and vital signs.

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White Blood Cell Count (WBC)

Measures the number of leukocytes.

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Differential WBC Count

Determines the proportions of different types of leukocytes.

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Study Notes

  • The immune system defends the body against antigens like bacteria, viruses, toxins, and foreign tissue.
  • Immunity refers to the body's ability to resist or eliminate potentially harmful antigens.
  • Immunodeficiency occurs when the immune system cannot defend the body against antigens.
  • Hypersensitivity is when the immune system overreacts to foreign antigens or reacts against its own tissue, leading to autoimmune diseases.

Immune Responses

  • Innate immunity is present at birth, giving nonspecific responses to any foreign invader.
  • Acquired immunity develops after exposure to an antigen and targets specific invaders.

Innate Immunity

  • Physical and chemical barriers like skin, mucous membranes, cilia, and stomach acid are the first line of defense.
  • Inflammatory response limits infection spread via vasodilation and increased capillary permeability.
  • Elevated body temperature inhibits the growth of some pathogens.
  • Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes that recognize and destroy infected or cancerous cells.
  • The complement system enhances the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells, promotes inflammation, and attacks pathogen plasma membranes.

Acquired Immunity

  • Antigens trigger antibody production and cell-mediated immunity, forming a specific response.
  • Active immunity is a result of the body's own production of antibodies and T cells after antigen exposure.
  • Passive immunity is acquired through ready-made antibodies given to an individual, providing immediate but temporary protection, like from mother to fetus or through antiserum injections.

Lymphoid Organs

  • Bone marrow produces lymphocytes.
  • The thymus gland processes T lymphocytes.
  • Lymph nodes filter lymph and activate lymphocytes.
  • The spleen filters blood and activates lymphocytes.

Cells of the Immune System

  • Lymphocytes (T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells) recognize and respond to antigens.
  • Macrophages are phagocytic cells that engulf and digest pathogens and debris.
  • Cytokines are chemical messengers that regulate immune responses.

T Lymphocytes

  • T helper cells (CD4 cells) enhance antibody production and cell-mediated immunity.
  • Cytotoxic T cells (CD8 cells) directly kill infected or cancerous cells.
  • Suppressor T cells suppress the immune response to prevent excessive or harmful reactions.

B Lymphocytes

  • B cells differentiate into plasma cells that produce antibodies.
  • Antibodies (immunoglobulins) bind to specific antigens, marking them for destruction.

Immunoglobulins

  • IgG is the most abundant antibody in the blood, providing long-term immunity.
  • IgA is found in mucous membranes and body secretions, protecting mucosal surfaces.
  • IgM is the first antibody produced during an infection.
  • IgE mediates allergic reactions and defends against parasites.
  • IgD is found on B cells and helps in B cell activation.

Factors Affecting Immune Function

  • Age: Infants and older adults have decreased immune function.
  • Nutrition: Malnutrition impairs immune responses.
  • Stress: Chronic stress suppresses the immune system.
  • Medications: Immunosuppressants and corticosteroids weaken immunity.
  • Illness: Chronic diseases and infections can compromise immune function.

Assessment

  • Health history includes past infections, immunizations, allergies, autoimmune disorders, and medications.
  • Physical examination includes assessing skin, mucous membranes, lymph nodes, and vital signs.

Common Diagnostic Tests

  • White blood cell count (WBC) measures the number of leukocytes.
  • Differential WBC count determines the proportions of different types of leukocytes.
  • T cell and B cell counts measure lymphocyte populations.
  • Immunoglobulin levels quantify antibody levels.
  • Allergy testing identifies specific allergens causing hypersensitivity.
  • HIV testing detects HIV infection.
  • Autoantibody tests identify antibodies against the body's own tissues.

Therapeutic Measures

  • Nutritional support maintains immune function.
  • Infection prevention includes hand hygiene, avoiding crowds, and vaccinations.
  • Stress management reduces immune suppression.
  • Immunosuppressant drugs decrease immune response in autoimmune diseases and transplant recipients.
  • Immunomodulators adjust the immune response to a desired level.

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Description

Explore the immune system's defenses against antigens, including innate and acquired immunity. Learn about physical barriers, inflammatory responses, and natural killer cells. Understand immunodeficiency and hypersensitivity.

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