college biology chapter 39

antigen

a toxin or other foreign substance that induces an immune response in the body, especially the production of antibodies

complement

proteins that participate in the inflammatory response/poke holes in bacteria; 2nd and 3rd lines of defense

innate immunity

immunity one is born with; fast; nonspecific

adaptive immunity

acquired immunity; specific

cytokines

Chemicals released by the immune system communicate with the brain

Lymphocytes

The two types of white blood cells that are part of the body's immune system: B and T; antibodies and memory, adaptive immunity

Leukocytes

white blood cells

neutrophils

many, fast, phagocyte attack all, cannot sustain an immune response

macrophages

phagocytize foreign substances and help activate T cells

dendritic cells

alert the immune system to the presence of an antigen

basophils

blood; release enzymes + cytokines for communication: mast cells in tissues, natural killer cells

mast cells

found in the connective tissue of the dermis; respond to injury, infection, or allergy by producing and releasing substances, including heparin and histamine

eosinophils

enzymes/toxic chemicals, poke holes in parasitic worms

B cells

effector: make antibodies

memory: remember for future reference

T cells

cell-mediated immunity

natural killer cells

play an important role in the killing of cancer cells and cells infected by viruses; assassins

lysozyme

an enzyme found in saliva and sweat and tears that destroys the cell walls of certain bacteria

acute inflammation

2nd line of defense; swelling and increased blood flow to an area

histamine

molecule released by mast cells in the tissues; it causes capillaries to become leaky and therefore we get swelling

fever

2nd line of defense; body's core temperature exceeds the hypothalamus' normal set point

MHC markers

self-proteins on the surface of human body cells

allergy

immune response to a harmless substance

anaphylactic shock

a life threatening allergic reaction; caused by release of histamine by mast cells and basophils; airways constrict and blood pressure drops

antibodies

Specialized proteins that aid in destroying infectious agents; immunoglobulins

antibody-mediated immunity

Immunity that results from the presence of antibodies in blood and lymph

cell-mediated immunity

type of immunity produced by T cells that attack infected or abnormal body cells

Antigen-MHC complex

self recognition of foreign substances

autoimmune response

the immune system is more likely to malfunction by turning against normal body tissues

rhematoid arthritis

-autoimmune disorder

-person's immune system attacks their joints that causes massive deformation

Graves disease

overactivity of the thyroid gland

primary immune deficiencies

present at birth and result from altered genes or abnormal development

secondary immune deficiencies

losses of immune function after exposure to some outside agent, like a virus

AIDS

group of disorders that follow infection by HIV; retrovirus that cripples the immune system

passive immunization

purified antibody is injected; protection is short lived

active immunization

antigen-containing material injected; long-lasting immunity

AZT

slow the course of AIDS and increase lifespan

helper T cells

T cells that help the immune system by increasing the activity of killer cells and stimulating the suppressor T cells

Cytotoxic T cells

destroy pathogens and release chemicals called cytokines

naive B cell

a B cell that has not been exposed to an antigen

Interleukins

proteins that stimulate the growth of B and T lymphocytes

Interferons

proteins (cytokines) secreted by T cells and other cells to aid and regulate the immune response

IgM

first to be secreted during immune responses; after binding to antigen, trigger complement cascade; also tag invaders and bind them in clumps for later phagocytosis

IgG

activate complement proteins; neutralize many toxins; long-lasting; can cross placenta and protect developing fetus; also present in colostrum from mammary glands

IgE

triggers inflammation when pathogens attack the body; play a role in allergic reactions

IgA

produced in exocrine secretions; found on mucus-coated surfaces of the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive tracts, where they neutralize pathogens