Antimicrobial Proteins and Adaptive Immunity

These flashcards cover key concepts related to antimicrobial proteins, adaptive immunity, and the immune response.

What are the most important antimicrobial proteins that enhance innate defenses?

Interferons and complement proteins.

What is the function of interferons released by infected cells?

To inhibit viral replication and warn nearby uninfected cells.

How do complement proteins function in the immune system?

They provide a major mechanism for destroying foreign substances and unleash an inflammatory response.

What is fever and its significance in the body?

An abnormally high body temperature that indicates a systemic response to infection.

What role do lymphocytes play in adaptive immunity?

They recognize and target specific pathogens, involving B and T lymphocytes.

What distinguishes humoral immunity from cellular immunity?

Humoral immunity is antibody mediated and controlled by B cells, while cellular immunity is carried out by T cells.

What are antigenic determinants?

Parts of an antigen that antibodies or lymphocyte receptors bind to.

What is the purpose of antigen-presenting cells (APCs)?

To engulf antigens and present their fragments to T cells for recognition.

How do B cells become activated in the humoral immune response?

When antigens bind to their surface receptors, leading to proliferation and differentiation into effector cells.

What is immunological memory?

The ability of memory B cells to mount a faster and stronger response upon re-exposure to the same antigen.

What triggers immediate hypersensitivity reactions?

The binding of IgE antibodies to mast cells and basophils upon exposure to allergens.

What is the primary role of helper T cells in the immune response?

To activate other immune cells (B cells and cytotoxic T cells) by releasing cytokines.

Define autoimmunity.

The production of autoantibodies and sensitized T cells that destroy body tissues.

What is passive humoral immunity?

When ready-made antibodies are introduced into the body, providing immediate but temporary protection.

What function do antibodies serve in the immune response?

They neutralize germs and mark them for destruction without directly destroying them.