HG exam 3 pgs 6-10

Immune system - adaptive - humoral response

The adaptive immune response involving B-cells and antibodies.

What initiates the antibody response?

The activation of a T-cell by an antigen-presenting cell (APC), which then activates a B-cell.

Where do B cells die?

In the spleen and lymph nodes.

Where are B cells generated?

In the bone marrow.

What do T-cells release to help B cells?

Cytokines.

What do plasma cells do?

They are antibody factories producing 2,000 antibodies per second.

What are memory cells?

Dormant cells that respond faster upon re-exposure to an antigen.

What is the structure of an antibody?

Comprised of heavy chains, light chains, constant regions, and variable regions.

Antibody jobs

Inactivate pathogens, neutralize toxins, clump pathogens, and activate the complement system.

How many variations of antibodies can be made?

Thanks to alternative splicing, we can create up to 10 trillion different antibody combinations.

What is hyper IgM syndrome?

A condition characterized by high levels of IgM and low levels of IgG and IgA, often due to a mutation on the X chromosome.

What do mast cells release?

Histamine.

What role do macrophages play in the immune system?

They phagocytose cancer cells and pathogens.

Describe Severe Combined Immune Deficiencies (SCID).

Lack of B-cells and/or T-cells that results in severe infections.

How does HIV infect cells?

By binding to macrophages and reverse transcribing RNA into DNA.

What is graft versus host disease?

A condition where the transplanted tissue attacks the host's body.

What is the germinal stage?

The stage of development that covers conception to 2 weeks.

What happens during fertilization?

The fusion of two different nuclei, forming a zygote.

Define autoimmunity.

A condition where the immune system makes antibodies that attack its own cells.

What is an example of an autoimmune disorder?

Lupus, where autoantibodies attack connective tissue.

What is the primary response of vaccines?

Vaccines stimulate a primary response to enhance subsequent secondary responses.

What is monoclonal antibody therapy?

A treatment using antibodies produced by one specific B cell to target particular antigens.

What type of genetic mutation can impact the immune system?

Point mutations affecting neutrophil function.