Immune System Flashcards

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Flashcards covering key concepts of the immune system based on lecture notes.

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41 Terms

1
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What are pathogens?

Disease-causing agents that disrupt the normal physiology of an infected organism.

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Give examples of cellular pathogens.

Bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

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Give examples of non-cellular pathogens.

Viruses and prions.

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What is a virus?

An infective entity that inserts its genetic material into a host cell in order to multiply.

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What is a prion?

An infectious protein that has folded abnormally into a disease-causing structure.

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What are the three basic lines of defense in the immune system?

Surface barriers, non-specific defense mechanisms, and specific responses.

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What does the first line of defense consist of?

Surface barriers that prevent the entry of pathogens into the host body.

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What does the second line of defense consist of?

Non-specific defense mechanisms activated after infection occurs.

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What does the third line of defense consist of?

Specific responses that target antigens produced by the pathogens.

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What are the three distinctive types of barriers to prevent pathogens from accessing body tissue?

Physical barriers, Chemical barriers, and Microbiological barriers.

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How does intact skin function as a physical barrier?

Consists predominantly of dead cells that line the body surfaces to prevent pathogen entry.

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How do mucous membranes function as a physical barrier?

Consist of living cells that line internal cavities and secrete trapping fluids (mucus).

13
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Give examples of chemical barriers.

Gastric secretions, sweat, tears, and mucus.

14
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What do gastric secretions contain that function to destroy ingested pathogens?

Strong stomach acids (pH < 2).

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What biochemical agents that inhibit microbial growth are contained in sweat and tears?

Lysozymes and lactic acid.

16
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What is the function of natural flora (commensals) as a microbiological barrier?

Lines the gut, taking up space and preventing colonization by pathogens.

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What initiates clotting when surface barriers are penetrated?

Release of clotting factors from damaged cells or platelets.

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What is the primary component of the innate immune system?

Phagocytic leukocytes.

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How does innate immune system respond to pathogens?

It does not differentiate between different types of pathogens and responds to an infection the same way every time.

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What are phagocytes?

White blood cells (leukocytes) that can engulf foreign bodies.

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How are phagocytes recruited to infected tissues?

Damaged cells release chemotactic chemicals.

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What is the lymphatic system?

A secondary transport system that functions to drain fluid from all around the body.

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Where does lymphatic systems filter fluid?

At sites called lymph nodes.

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What are antigens?

Molecular markers (typically glycoproteins) that are usually located on the outer surfaces of pathogens.

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What are antibodies?

Specific proteins that target antigens

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What cells produce antibodies?

B lymphocytes (and plasma cells)

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What are the two types of lymphocytes?

B and T lymphocytes

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Which cells are introduced to antigenic fragments by antigen presenting cells in the lymph nodes?

Helper T cells

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What is the function of helper T cells?

Releases cytokines to activate naïve B lymphocytes

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What is the function of plasma cells?

Produce antibodies that target the antigen and facilitate pathogen elimination.

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What is the purpose of memory cells?

Produce a secondary immune response that is faster and more potent

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What is Immunodeficiency?

A condition in which the immune system is either compromised or absent.

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What causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)?

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

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How does HIV transmit?

Through the exchange of bodily fluids.

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What is a zoonosis?

An infectious disease that can be transmitted from other species to humans.

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What is a vector?

An unaffected intermediate species

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What are antibiotics?

Compounds that specifically target prokaryotic features.

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What is vaccination?

Involves the injection of a biological preparation (vaccine) to provide active acquired immunity to a specific infectious disease.

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What is herd immunity?

When a sufficiently large percentage of a population is immune to infection, there is a reduced risk of infection for individuals who lack immunity.

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What is an epidemic?

An outbreak that occurs over a given time period within a particular community or region.

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What is a pandemic?

Occurs across a wider geographical area (e.g. global).