Innate Immunity Overview

These flashcards cover important concepts and key details regarding innate immunity, focusing on its components, processes, and defenses.

What are the three main barriers of the first line of defense in innate immunity?

Physical barriers, Chemical barriers, and Biological factors.

What are endotoxins primarily made of?

Endotoxins are part of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria.

Name two functions of the complement system.

The complement system assists in cytolysis, inflammation, and opsonization.

What is phagocytosis?

Phagocytosis is the process by which phagocytes ingest and digest microbes.

Which white blood cells are primarily involved in phagocytosis?

Macrophages, Dendritic cells, and Neutrophils.

What roles do mast cells and basophils play in the immune response?

Mast cells and basophils release histamine that contributes to inflammation.

What activates the classical pathway of the complement system?

The classical pathway is activated by antibodies binding to antigens.

What are the stages of phagocytosis?

Chemotaxis, adherence, ingestion, vesicle formation, phagolysosome formation, digestion, and discharge of waste.

How do pathogens evade phagocytosis?

Some pathogens evade phagocytosis by using capsules or leukocidins.

What is the role of antimicrobial peptides?

Antimicrobial peptides inhibit microbial action by damaging membranes and recruiting phagocytes.