Understanding the Immune System

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Questions and Answers

Which statement accurately represents the communication dynamics within the immune system?

An elaborate and dynamic communication network allows immune cells to regulate growth, behavior, and direct recruits to trouble spots. (correct)
The immune system depends on a static communication structure, where information flow is predetermined and inflexible.
Immune cell communication relies solely on direct physical contact, allowing for targeted responses to pathogens.
Immune cells operate independently, targeting specific threats without coordinating with other cells to maintain efficiency.

How does the immune system distinguish between 'self' and 'nonself' to prevent autoimmune reactions?

By ignoring cells that are stationary, only targeting those that are mobile and potentially harmful.
By initiating a generalized inflammatory response to any cell that lacks a specific surface receptor.
By relying on the nervous system to identify and flag cells that are part of the body.
By recognizing distinctive 'self' marker molecules on cells, which prevent immune defenders from launching an attack against the body's own tissues. (correct)

In what way do lymphoid organs contribute to the functionality of the immune system?

By physically filtering pathogens from the blood and lymph before immune cells detect them.
By producing red blood cells that transport immune cells to sites of infection.
By synthesizing and secreting antibodies directly into the bloodstream for immediate defense.
By serving as sites where immune cells congregate, mature, and interact with antigens, optimizing immune responses. (correct)

How do cytokines facilitate communication within the immune system to mount an effective response?

By acting as chemical messengers that enable cells to coordinate their actions and regulate immune responses. (D)

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How does the complement system enhance immune responses against bacterial infections?

By initiating the complement cascade to cause bacterial cell lysis and enhancing phagocytosis. (D)

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In what manner do the body's physical barriers and immune cells work together to defend against invading pathogens?

Physical barriers serve as the first line of defense, while immune cells provide surveillance for pathogens that bypass these barriers. (C)

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What role do MHC molecules play in T cell activation and the immune response?

They present processed antigens on cell surfaces, enabling T cells to recognize and respond to foreign invaders. (C)

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How do vaccines provide long-term protection against infectious diseases?

By introducing weakened or inactive pathogens to stimulate the production of memory cells. (A)

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What mechanisms contribute to immune tolerance and prevent the immune system from attacking the body's own tissues?

Deleting self-reactive lymphocytes during development and inactivating autoreactive cells in the periphery. (C)

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How does severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) impact the immune system, and what therapeutic approaches are being explored to treat it?

SCID causes a complete lack of functional T and B cells, severely impairing immune defenses; gene therapy and bone marrow transplantation are potential treatments. (C)

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How does HIV compromise the immune system and lead to AIDS?

HIV directly attacks and destroys critical immune cells, specifically helper T cells, weakening the body's ability to fight off infections and cancers. (D)

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How can scientists genetically engineer immune cells to target and destroy cancer cells?

By equipping immune cells with receptors that specifically recognize cancer cell antigens, enhancing their ability to eliminate tumors. (D)

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In what manner might stress hormones influence immune function, and by what mechanism does this occur?

Stress hormones suppress immune function by inhibiting the protective effects of antibodies and lymphocytes. (B)

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How are monoclonal antibodies produced, and why are they valuable in research and medicine?

Monoclonal antibodies are produced by fusing B cells from immunized animals with long-lived cells, creating hybridomas that secrete identical antibodies with high specificity. (A)

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How does the failure of immune tolerance lead to autoimmune diseases, and what are some examples of conditions resulting from this failure?

Failure of immune tolerance leads the immune system to attack the body's own tissues, resulting in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes. (D)

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What is the role of the thymus in the development and function of the immune system?

The thymus is where T lymphocytes mature and undergo selection processes to ensure self-tolerance and immune competence. (C)

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How do natural killer (NK) cells differentiate their targets, and how does this specificity contribute to immune defense?

NK cells target cells lacking self-MHC molecules, enabling them to eliminate infected or cancerous cells that evade detection by T cells. (C)

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How does tissue typing improve the success rates of organ transplantation?

Tissue typing ensures that the donor's tissue markers are as similar as possible to the recipient's, reducing the risk of graft rejection. (D)

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How do intracellular parasites evade immune detection, and what immune responses are necessary to combat these infections?

Intracellular parasites hide within cells, necessitating T-cell responses and cytotoxic T lymphocytes to kill infected cells. (B)

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How do neutrophils contribute to breaking down microbes after ingesting them, and what mechanisms facilitate this process?

Neutrophils use prepackaged chemicals to break down microbes after ingesting them, and these chemical reactions facilitate their destruction. (A)

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In situations involving an abundance of stress hormones, how are antibodies and lymphocytes impacted, and why does this occur?

Stress hormones stifle the protective effects of antibodies and lymphocytes. (C)

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Upon microbe detection, what responses occur that entail nasal surfaces, the stomach, and the digestive tracts?

Microbe entering the nose often cause the nasal surfaces to secrete more protective mucus, and attempts to enter the nose or lungs can trigger a sneeze or cough reflex to force microbial. (D)

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What is tissue typing, and what impact does it have on transplant effectiveness?

Tissue typing makes sure markers of self on the donor's tissue are as similar as possible to those of the recipient, limiting risk of tissue rejection. (B)

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In the production of monoclonal antibodies, what method is utilized, and why is the resulting combination crucial to the production process?

A mouse is injected with a target antigen and fusing B cells from the mouse with another long-lived cell; the hybrid cell turns into an antibody factory. (C)

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How do Helper T cells (Th cells) and killer T cells differ, and where do T cells mature?

Helper T cells, or Th cells, coordinate immune responses by communicating with other cells, while killer T cells directly attacl cells, while T cells mature in the thymus. (D)

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How is HIV transmitted from person to person?

By intimate sexual contact, transfer of the virus from mother to infant during pregnancy, or direct blood contamination. (B)

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How and why do T cells only recognize an antigen?

T cells only recognize an antigen if it is carried on the surface of a cell by one of the body's own MHC, or major histocompatibility complex, molecules. (D)

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How can you get passive immunity, and how long does it last?

Passive immunity typically lasts only a few weeks or months (D)

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How is SCID or severe combined immunodeficiency disease acquired?

Infants are born lacking all major immune defenses. (A)

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What immune reaction occurs with the introduction of tissue into a body?

Tissues transplants may be rejected after the launch of an attack due to being 'foreign'. (D)

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What do researchers do when they produce monoclonal antibodies?

Researchers inject a mouse with a target antigen and then fusing B cells from the mouse with another long lived cell. (C)

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When the immune system is missing one or more of all components, what is the result?

The result is immunodeficiency disorder. (C)

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Which antibodies are related to allergy?

Antibodies such as pollen allergy are related to the antibody known as IgE. (D)

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What type of cells do HIV attack? Select ALL correct answers:

vital T cells. (C), immune cells. (D)

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What is the role of B Lymphocytes (B cells) in the immune system?

B cells work chiefly by secreting subtances called antibodies into the body's fluid, ambushing antigens circulating the bloodstream. (D)

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Flashcards

Immune System

A network of cells, tissues, and organs that defends the body against foreign invaders.

Microbes (Germs)

Tiny, infection-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.