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What are the five distinctive characteristics of adaptive immunity?

Specificity, memory, diversity, self-recognition, and inducibility.

What is specificity in adaptive immunity?

The immune response targets a particular antigen.

What is the role of B lymphocytes in adaptive immunity?

B lymphocytes originate and mature in the bone marrow, becoming plasma cells that make antibodies and memory B cells.

What types of immunity do T lymphocytes involve?

T lymphocytes are involved in cell-mediated immunity, helping activate immune responses, kill infected cells, or regulate immunity.

What are the two categories of adaptive immunity?

Antibody-mediated immunity and cell-mediated immunity.

What is an epitope?

The specific part of an antigen that an antibody or T-cell receptor recognizes and binds to.

What is the difference between an antigen and an epitope?

An antigen is the entire foreign substance, while an epitope is a small specific region on that antigen recognized by immune cells.

Can a bacterial cell have multiple specific antigens?

Yes, a bacterial cell can have multiple specific antigens due to different surface structures.

What are Major Histocompatibility Complexes (MHCs)?

Cell markers that display antigens to T cells.

What is the difference between MHC I and MHC II?

MHC I is found on almost all nucleated body cells presenting intracellular antigens to cytotoxic T cells, while MHC II is found on antigen-presenting cells presenting extracellular antigens to helper T cells.

What are antigen-presenting cells (APCs)?

Cells that engulf pathogens, process antigens, and present antigen fragments on MHC II molecules.

What is the function of a dendritic cell in activating T cells?

A dendritic cell phagocytizes a pathogen, digests it, and presents pieces on MHC II molecules to activate helper T cells.

What is the structure of an antibody?

A Y-shaped protein made of two heavy chains and two light chains with antigen-binding sites at the tips.

What are the roles of antibodies in the immune response?

Activation of complement, neutralization of toxins/viruses, opsonization of pathogens, agglutination of antigens, and ADCC.

What are the different types of antibodies?

IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, and IgD, each with specific structures, locations, and functions.

What are cytokines?

Chemical messengers released by immune cells to communicate and regulate the immune response.

What is the difference between primary and secondary immune responses?

Primary response occurs the first time an antigen is encountered, while secondary response is faster and stronger due to memory cells.

What is herd immunity?

When enough people are immune to a disease, making it hard for the disease to spread.

What are serological tests?

Tests that detect antigens or antibodies in serum.

What is the purpose of point-of-care testing in immunization?

To allow rapid testing near the patient to diagnose infections quickly and limit disease spread.

What is an allergy?

An exaggerated immune response to a harmless antigen.

What is hypersensitivity?

An overactive or harmful immune response.

What is atopy?

A genetic tendency to develop allergic conditions.

What is the role of IgE in allergic reactions?

IgE binds to mast cells and basophils, leading to degranulation and release of histamine.

What happens during generalized anaphylaxis?

It affects the whole body and can cause shock, airway swelling, and death.

What is the importance of epinephrine in allergic reactions?

Epinephrine quickly opens airways, raises blood pressure, and reduces severe allergic symptoms.

What are the four basic graft types in transplant medicine?

Autograft, isograft, allograft, and xenograft.

What is the characteristic of primary immunodeficiency?

It is inherited or present from birth, such as SCID.

What is bioremediation?

The use of microorganisms to clean up pollutants, oil spills, sewage, or toxic chemicals.

What are the six chemical elements that make up most macromolecules?

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.