Sources of Infection and Immune System Overview

What is a pathogen?

An organism that causes disease

Name the four major causes of pathogens

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites

Why are fungi difficult to treat?

They are often overlooked and effective treamtents are limited

Give examples of parasitic pathogens

Worms and protozoa

Why are parasites challenging for immune cells?

They are macroscopic and much larger than immune cells

What must the immune system be able to do?

Recognise pathogens, avoid self-reactivity, and direct effector responses

Why must the immune system avoid overreaction?

To prevent damage to self or benign antigens Wh

What links innate and adaptive immunity?

Co-ordinated effector mechanisms

What distiguishes vertebrate immunity from other organisms?

Specific adaptive immunity with memory

What cells mediate adaptive immunity?

B and T lymphocytes