Specific Immune System: Humoral Response

What is the humoral response

Specific immune response involving production of antibodies in body fluids to destroy pathogens

Which cells are involved in the humoral response

B cells helper T cells plasma cells and memory cells

What is the role of B cells

They bind to antigens and present them and later divide into plasma and memory cells

What are antibodies

Proteins produced by B cells that bind specifically to antigens

Where are antibodies found

In body fluids also called humors

What is an antigen presenting B cell

A B cell that has engulfed an antigen and displays it on its surface

What are plasma cells

Activated B cells that produce and secrete large amounts of antibodies

What is the lifespan of plasma cells

Short only a few days

What are memory cells in humoral response

B cells that remain in the body for long term immunity

What is the function of memory cells

They rapidly divide into plasma cells upon reinfection

What is the role of helper T cells in humoral response

They activate B cells by binding to antigen presenting cells

What is clonal selection

Selection of a specific B cell with a complementary antibody after activation

What is clonal expansion

Division of selected B cells to produce identical clones

What is the primary immune response

First exposure response that is slow and produces symptoms

What is the secondary immune response

Second exposure response that is faster stronger and prevents symptoms

Why is the primary response slow

Few specific B cells exist so time is needed for cloning and antibody production

What happens during the primary immune response

Antibody levels rise slowly and memory cells are formed

What happens during the secondary immune response

Memory cells rapidly produce plasma cells and large amounts of antibodies

Why is the secondary response faster

Memory cells recognise antigen immediately

What are autoimmune diseases

Conditions where the immune system attacks self antigens

Give an example of an autoimmune disease

Type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis

What happens in Type 1 diabetes

Immune system destroys insulin producing cells in the pancreas

What happens in rheumatoid arthritis

Immune system attacks joint tissue causing pain and inflammation