Mechanisms of Self Defense: Immunity and Inflammation

These flashcards cover the key concepts related to immune mechanisms, inflammation, wound healing, and immune disorders based on the provided lecture notes.

Which of the following correctly lists the main components of Innate Immunity?
A) Antigens, pathogens, and complement proteins.
B) B cells, T cells, and antibodies.
C) Lymphocytes, macrophages, and memory cells.
D) Physical barriers, chemical barriers, and cells like NK cells and phagocytes.

Answer: D) Physical barriers, chemical barriers, and cells like NK cells and phagocytes.

What serves as the first line of defense in innate immunity?
A) Antibodies.
B) Physical barriers like skin integrity and mucous linings.
C) Phagocytes.
D) T cells.

Answer: B) Physical barriers like skin integrity and mucous linings.

Which of these commonly triggers the second line of defense in innate immunity?
A) Exposure to a novel antigen.
B) Infection, injury, or pathological conditions.
C) Production of specific antibodies.
D) Vaccination.

Answer: B) Infection, injury, or pathological conditions.

What are the two major types of adaptive immunity?
A) Active immunity and natural immunity.
B) Humoral immunity and cellular immunity.
C) Innate immunity and passive immunity.
D) Specific immunity and non-specific immunity.

Answer: B) Humoral immunity and cellular immunity.

Which cells are primarily responsible for mediating humoral immunity?
A) B cells and the antibodies they produce.
B) Macrophages.
C) Natural Killer cells.
D) T cells.

Answer: A) B cells and the antibodies they produce.

What is the primary function of inflammatory mediators?
A) To develop long-term immunity.
B) To directly engulf and digest foreign particles.
C) To facilitate the inflammatory response and help in recruiting immune cells.
D) To produce antibodies against pathogens.

Answer: C) They facilitate the inflammatory response and help in recruiting immune cells.

How can acute and chronic inflammation be differentiated?
A) Acute inflammation always leads to fever, while acute never does.
B) Acute inflammation is rapid and short-term; chronic inflammation lasts longer and involves persistent injury.
C) Acute inflammation involves T cells, while chronic involves B cells.
D) Acute inflammation only affects internal organs, chronic only external.

Answer: B) Acute inflammation is rapid and short-term; chronic inflammation lasts longer and involves persistent injury.

Which component of the complement system plays a key role in opsonization and pathogen destruction?
A) Bradykinin.
B) C3.
C) Histamine.
D) Immunoglobulin G (IgG).

Answer: B) C3, which plays a key role in opsonization and pathogen destruction.

What is the primary role of macrophages during an inflammatory response?
A) To activate cytotoxic T cells.
B) To form a physical barrier.
C) To phagocytose pathogens and debris, and release inflammatory mediators.
D) To produce specific antibodies.

Answer: C) Phagocytose pathogens and debris, and release inflammatory mediators.

Which cell types are primarily associated with chronic inflammation?
A) Lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts.
B) Mast cells, plasma cells, and platelets.
C) Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.
D) Red blood cells, dendritic cells, and epithelial cells.

Answer: A) Lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts.

Which of the following is a systemic manifestation of inflammation, often resulting from the action of pyrogens?
A) Fever.
B) Localized swelling.
C) Pain sensation.
D) Redness at the injury site.

Answer: A) Fever, often caused by pyrogens.

Which factors are known to impair the process of wound healing?
A) Diabetes, stress, obesity, and certain medications.
B) High intake of vitamins and minerals.
C) Regular physical exercise.
D) Youth and healthy diet.

Answer: A) Diabetes, stress, obesity, and certain medications.

How do platelets contribute to the inflammatory response?
A) By directly engulfing bacterial pathogens.
B) By forming memory cells for future immune responses.
C) By releasing mediators and activating the coagulation cascade.
D) By producing antibodies against viruses.

Answer: C) By releasing mediators and activating the coagulation cascade.

What is the primary effect of bradykinin during inflammation?
A) It inhibits leukocyte migration.
B) It reduces swelling and pain.
C) It stimulates pain and increases vascular permeability.
D) It constricts blood vessels.

Answer: C) It stimulates pain and increases vascular permeability.

Interleukins are best described as:
A) Components of the cell membrane.
B) Enzymes that break down pathogens.
C) Large antibodies that neutralize toxins.
D) Small proteins that regulate immune responses and inflammation.

Answer: D) Small proteins that regulate immune responses and inflammation.

Which of the following accurately describes 'phagocytosis'?
A) The binding of antibodies to antigens.
B) The formation of a protective barrier on the skin.
C) The production of chemical signals by immune cells.
D) The process by which cells like macrophages engulf and digest pathogens or debris.

Answer: D) The process by which cells like macrophages engulf and digest pathogens or debris.

What is the beneficial purpose of a fever during an inflammatory response?
A) To enhance the immune response and inhibit pathogen replication.
B) To minimize blood loss at the injury site.
C) To reduce pain and discomfort.
D) To slow down metabolic processes.

Answer: A) To enhance the immune response and inhibit pathogen replication.

Which of these is a key role of T cells in adaptive immunity?
A) Forming physical barriers against infection.
B) Killing infected cells and helping regulate the immune response.
C) Phagocytosing pathogens.
D) Producing and secreting antibodies.

Answer: B) T cells can kill infected cells and help regulate the immune response.

What are the primary goals of adaptive immunity?
A) To destroy foreign organisms and provide long-term protection.
B) To form blood clots to prevent pathogen entry.
C) To initiate immediate non-specific defense mechanisms.
D) To regulate body temperature during infection.

Answer: A) To destroy foreign organisms and provide long-term protection.

Autoimmunity is a condition where:
A) The body develops immunity to environmental allergens.
B) The immune system attacks the body's own tissues.
C) The immune system successfully defends against all foreign invaders.
D) Immune cells fail to recognize any antigens.

Answer: B) When the immune system attacks the body's own tissues.

Keloid formation is characterized by:
A) Dysfunctional healing process resulting in excessive scar tissue formation.
B) A healthy and efficient wound healing process.
C) Insufficient collagen production leading to weak scars.
D) Rapid regeneration of functional tissue without scarring.

Answer: A) Dysfunctional healing process resulting in excessive scar tissue formation.

Which of the following is an example of a Type I hypersensitivity reaction?
A) A Rh-incompatibility reaction.
B) Anaphylaxis due to allergens.
C) Contact dermatitis.
D) Immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis.

Answer: B) Anaphylaxis due to allergens.

Chronic inflammation is typically caused by:
A) A brief and self-limiting acute immune response.
B) Immediate antibody production in response to antigens.
C) Short-term exposure to beneficial microorganisms.
D) Unresolved acute inflammation or persistent stimuli such as infections or toxins.

Answer: D) Unresolved acute inflammation or persistent stimuli such as infections or toxins.

What is the primary significance of immune memory cells?
A) They are involved in the immediate inflammatory response.
B) They are responsible for antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
C) They produce acute phase proteins.
D) They provide a faster and stronger immune response upon re-exposure to an antigen.

Answer: D) They provide a faster and stronger immune response upon re-exposure to an antigen.

The process of wound contraction involves what cellular action?
A) Endothelial cells forming new blood vessels.
B) Fibroblasts synthesizing new collagen.
C) Macrophages engulfing cellular debris.
D) Myofibroblasts pull the edges of the wound together to reduce its size.

Answer: D) Myofibroblasts pull the edges of the wound together to reduce its size.

What cells serve as the common precursor for both T and B lymphocytes?
A) Erythroid stem cells.
B) Hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow.
C) Lymphoid progenitor cells in the thymus.
D) Myeloid stem cells.

Answer: B) Hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow.

Which of the following best describes Interferon and its role in immunity?
A) A cytokine that helps to inhibit viral replication and activates immune cells.
B) A hormone that regulates lymphocyte proliferation.
C) A lipid mediator that causes vasodilation.
D) An enzyme that breaks down bacterial cell walls.

Answer: A) A cytokine that helps to inhibit viral replication and activates immune cells.

A key characteristic of a Type II hypersensitivity reaction is:
A) Delayed-type hypersensitivity involving T lymphocytes.
B) Immune complex deposition in tissues.
C) Systemic anaphylaxis triggered by mast cells.
D) Tissue-specific immune responses that can lead to cell damage.

Answer: D) Tissue-specific immune responses that can lead to cell damage.

How is immunity commonly evaluated in a clinical setting?
A) By complete blood count, serum immunoglobulin levels, bone marrow examination, etc.
B) Mainly by assessing muscle strength and joint mobility.
C) Through X-ray imaging and ultrasound scans.
D) Via nerve conduction studies and electroencephalograms.

Answer: A) By complete blood count, serum immunoglobulin levels, bone marrow examination, etc.

TNF-alpha is a cytokine primarily known for its role in:
A) Direct antibody production against specific pathogens.
B) Facilitating wound contraction without immune cell involvement.
C) Suppressing the immune system and reducing inflammation.
D) Systemic inflammation, regulating immune cells, and inducing fever.

Answer: D) A cytokine involved in systemic inflammation, regulating immune cells, and inducing fever.

Autoinflammatory diseases are best defined as conditions:
A) Caused by a suppressed innate immune response leading to increased infections.
B) Caused by an unregulated innate immune response leading to recurrent symptoms.
C) Resulting from allergic reactions to common environmental antigens.
D) Where the adaptive immune system attacks self-tissues.

Answer: B) Conditions caused by an unregulated innate immune response leading to recurrent symptoms.