Microbiology Fundamentals: Adaptive Immunity and Immunization

Flashcards covering essential concepts from the lecture on adaptive immunity and immunization.

What are the key features that make adaptive immunity special?

Specificity, Diversity, Inducibility, Clonality, Tolerance, Memory

Where do B cells mature?

In the specialized bone marrow sites.

What is the role of Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs)?

APCs present antigens formally to lymphocytes.

Name three examples of cells that serve as APCs.

Macrophages, B-cells, Dendritic cells.

What is the primary function of Helper T cells?

Activates macrophages and assists B-cell processes.

What type of T cells leads the destruction of infected host cells?

Cytotoxic T cells.

What do Memory T cells do?

They store information about foreign antigens for quicker responses.

What type of immunity do Gamma-Delta T Cells provide?

They act as a bridge between nonspecific and specific immune responses.

What is the primary role of Natural Killer (NK) cells?

To attack cancer cells and virus-infected cells.

What are regulatory B cells responsible for?

Regulating the T-cell response.

What do Plasma cells produce?

Antibodies.

What is the structure of an immunoglobulin?

Symmetrical Y-shaped arrangement with heavy chains and light chains.

What does the Fab region of an antibody do?

Functions as antigen binding sites.

What is the biological function of IgG?

It neutralizes toxins, opsonizes, and fixes complement.

What type of immunity is conferred by vaccination?

Active immunity.

How quickly does active immunity develop?

It takes several days.

What is passive immunity?

Occurs when an individual receives antibodies from another human or animal.

How long does passive immunity protection last?

Short period of time—decreases over time.

What are whole organism vaccines?

Live, attenuated cells or viruses with lessened virulence.

What do nucleic acid vaccines contain?

DNA or RNA enclosed in a lipid vesicle or carried by a viral vector.

What are common reactions to vaccines?

Local reactions at injection site and fever.

What is herd immunity?

Community protection that occurs when a significant portion is vaccinated.

What types of antigens do Memory B and T cells respond to?

Specific antigens.

What can lead to the development of memory cells from novel antigens?

Exposure to related antigens that have not been previously seen.

How does artificial active immunity occur?

Through vaccination.

What is an example of a disease that lacks a functional vaccine?

Malaria.

What is a serious consequence of not vaccinating populations?

Decreased herd immunity leading to resurgent diseases.

What is the role of the Fc region in antibodies?

It binds to phagocytes and mediates cellular responses.

What is the difference between active and passive immunity in terms of duration?

Active immunity lasts a relatively long time, while passive immunity is short-lived.

What is the intention of vaccination?

To create memory to prime the body for quick responses upon re-exposure.

How can antigenic component vaccines be obtained?

From cultures or mimicked artificially.

What type of vaccine involves subunits conjugated with proteins to enhance immunogenicity?

Conjugated vaccines.

What can occur as a rare reaction to vaccination?

Back-mutation to a virulent strain.

What is an antigen?

A substance that induces an immune response.

What is the main reason for the resurgence of diseases like measles?

Decreased vaccination rates.

In which part of the body do T cells mature?

In the thymus.

What are the two primary types of immunity?

Natural immunity and artificial immunity.