Immunology: Secondary Response and Hypersensitivity

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts from immunology, focusing on T cells, B cells, cytokines, hypersensitivity, and autoimmunity.

T cells

A type of white blood cell that plays a central role in cell-mediated immunity.

B cells

A type of white blood cell that produces antibodies and is part of the humoral immune response.

Secondary immune response

An immunological response that occurs upon re-exposure to an antigen, typically faster and more robust than the primary response.

Cytokines

Signaling proteins that mediate and regulate immunity, inflammation, and hematopoiesis.

Histamine

A biogenic amine involved in local immune responses and regulation of physiological functions in the stomach.

Mast cells

Cells that play a vital role in the immune system by releasing histamine and other mediators during an immune response.

IgE

Immunoglobulin E, an antibody associated with allergic reactions.

Sensitization phase

The initial phase in an allergic response where the immune system becomes sensitized to an allergen.

Activation phase

The phase in an allergic response where the reexposure to the allergen activates the immune system.

Elicitation phase

The phase of an allergic response where the immune system effects a reaction to the previously encountered allergen.

Type I hypersensitivity

An immediate hypersensitivity reaction mediated by IgE and causing allergic symptoms.

Type IV hypersensitivity

A delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction mediated by T cells and characterized by a delayed response.

Serum sickness

A reaction that occurs when antibodies are produced against proteins in antiserum, leading to immune complex formation.

T helper cells

A subset of T cells that help orchestrate the immune response by activating B cells and T cytotoxic cells.

Delayed hypersensitivity

An immune response that takes place hours to days to develop, involving T cells rather than antibodies.

Autoimmunity

A condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells.

Tolerance

The state in which the immune system is unresponsive to specific antigens, preventing autoimmune responses.

Central tolerance

The process by which developing lymphocytes are eliminated or inactivated in the thymus or bone marrow.

Peripheral tolerance

Mechanisms that prevent the activation of self-reactive lymphocytes in the periphery.