Innate Immunity Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to innate immunity.

Innate Immunity

A generic form of defense present at birth.

First Line of Defense

The physical barrier that prevents entry into the body tissues.

Second Line of Defense

Includes inflammation, fever, antimicrobial proteins, and white blood cells.

Mucous Membranes

Protects the body's surfaces.

Keratinized Cells

Protective cells on the surface of the epidermis that provide a barrier.

Sebaceous Glands

Glands that secrete an oily substance with antimicrobial properties.

Sebum

Oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands with antimicrobial properties and a low pH.

Lysozyme

Found within the eyes and has antimicrobial properties.

Commensal Bacteria

Bacteria that live harmoniously in our body.

Phagocytes

White blood cells involved in the second line of defense.

Chemotaxis

Attraction based on a chemical.

Phagosome

Vesicle created when a macrophage takes in a microbe.

Lysosomes

Small vesicles filled with digestive enzymes.

Exocytosis

Removal of undigested material from the cell

Natural Killer Cells

Lymphocytes that recognize abnormal proteins on cell membranes.

Perforins

Chemicals released by natural killer cells to puncture cell membranes.

Granzymes

Digestive enzymes released by natural killer cells to cause cell death.

Inflammation

Characterized by warmth, swelling, redness and pain, It is the body's attempt to get rid of pathogens and to accelerate the recovery process.

Vasodilation

Dilation of blood vessels and increased permeability.

Histamine

Inflammatory mediator released by damaged cells and mast cells.

Nociceptors

Sensory nerve endings responsible for pain perception.

Fever

Increase in body temperature due to infection.

Pyrogens

Chemicals released from the damaged cells and some bacteria that raise the body's temperature.

Interferons

Antimicrobial substances released by cells infected by a virus.

Complement System

Inactive system of plasma proteins with antimicrobial actions.

Opsonization

Process of complement proteins binding to microbes to facilitate phagocytosis.

Membrane Attack Complex (MAC)

Creates holes in the microbial plasma membrane.

Arterioles

Contributes to redness and heat during inflammation due to increased blood flow.

Capillary Permeability

Movement of fluid out of the capillaries and into the interstitial space contributing to swelling or edema.

Macrophage Activation

Activating resident macrophages in the tissue and beginning the process of phagocytosing the pathogen and damaged cellular material.