Understanding the Immune System
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Questions and Answers

What distinguishes primary immunodeficiencies from secondary immunodeficiencies?

  • Primary immunodeficiencies are hereditary genetic defects, while secondary immunodeficiencies are caused by drugs.
  • Primary immunodeficiencies are more common in women, while secondary immunodeficiencies are more common in men.
  • Primary immunodeficiencies are caused by malnutrition, while secondary immunodeficiencies are caused by HIV/AIDS.
  • Primary immunodeficiencies affect only one part of the immune system, while secondary immunodeficiencies weaken the whole system. (correct)
  • Which of the following is NOT an example of an autoimmune disease?

  • Cancer chemotherapy treatments (correct)
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Hashimoto thyroiditis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • How do vaccines work in terms of the immune response?

  • Vaccines help the immune system recognize and fight off real infectious substances without making the person sick. (correct)
  • Vaccines target healthy tissues in the body.
  • Vaccines introduce infectious substances to make the person sick.
  • Vaccines weaken the immune system.
  • What is the purpose of memory cells in the immune system?

    <p>Memory cells provide immediate response to infections upon future exposure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it beneficial for vaccinated individuals not to become ill after exposure to microorganisms in the vaccination?

    <p>To prevent the spread of diseases to others.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when our bodies detect bacteria or viruses entering through our skin pores or mouth?

    <p>The immune system releases chemicals to attract additional immune cells to the area under attack.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main function of white blood cells in the immune system?

    <p>Fighting off infection and helping repair damage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of the immune system recognizes foreign invaders?

    <p>Antibodies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which disorder affects mostly boys and leads to serious bacterial infections early in life?

    <p>Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of a person with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA)?

    <p>Inability to produce enough antibodies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the main components of the immune system that work together to protect the body?

    <p>Antibodies and white blood cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of complement proteins in the immune system?

    <p>Destroying bacteria and other pathogens</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Immune System Function

    The human body's primary defense against disease is its immune system. This complex network of cells, tissues, organs, and proteins work together to protect us from pathogens like bacteria and viruses. The main components of this system are white blood cells, which fight off infection and help repair damage caused by illnesses; antibodies, which recognize foreign invaders; and complement proteins, which destroy bacteria and other pathogens. Additionally, there are specialized cell types including lymphocytes such as T-cells and B-cells that play important roles in fighting off microbes.

    Immunodeficiency Disorders

    Some people have weakened immune systems because they lack certain genes needed to make parts of their immune system work properly. These conditions are called primary immunodeficiencies. Some examples include:

    • Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID): A rare disorder where children can get very sick after being born with it. They may get many different kinds of infections over time.
    • X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), also known as Bruton’s syndrome. It affects males more often than females. People with this condition don't produce enough spaces within their white blood cells so they cannot activate them when necessary.
    • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) which mostly affects boys who develop serious bacterial infections early in life.

    Primary immunodeficiencies typically affect only one part of the immune system while secondary immunodeficiencies weaken the whole system. Examples of these include malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, cancer chemotherapy treatments, drugs, radiation therapy, and some hereditary genetic defects.

    Autoimmune Diseases

    Autoimmune diseases occur when your own immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Common examples of autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Graves' disease, Hashimoto thyroiditis, psoriasis, and celiac disease. An estimated 2% of Americans live with one form or another of an autoimmune disease - most commonly women between the ages of 30 and 60.

    Vaccines & Immunizations

    Vaccinations involve giving small amounts of non-infectious material related to a specific virus or bacterium into a person's bloodstream. When a vaccine is administered to someone, his or her immune system responds by making defenses against the agent. Then if he or she encounters the real infectious substance later on, the immune system recognizes it and fights back again without getting the person really sick. Because of this process, vaccinated individuals do not usually become ill after exposure to the microorganisms contained in the vaccination. In addition, vaccinations can prevent the spread of particular diseases among large groups of people.

    Immune Response to Infection

    When our bodies detect bacteria or viruses entering through our skin pores or mouth, respiratory tracts, or digestive systems, the immune system kicks into action. Cells involved in this response release chemicals to attract additional immune cells to the area under attack. Eventually, the infection is cleared away, leaving behind memory cells ready to respond faster next time. Without an effective immune response, an organism could easily catch every cold or flu going around in its community.

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    Description

    Explore the functions of the immune system, including how it protects the body from pathogens, the role of white blood cells, antibodies, and complement proteins, and the importance of lymphocytes like T-cells and B-cells. Learn about immunodeficiency disorders, autoimmune diseases, vaccines, and how the immune system responds to infections.

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