Immune System: Inflammation and Adaptive Immunity

Flashcards covering adaptive immunity, the inflammatory response, stages of inflammation, infectious disease, Chain of Infection, and the time course of becoming specifically immune.

Which cells constitute the adaptive immune system activated by immunization?

T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes.

What adaptive response does immunization create?

An automatic (at-the-ready) adaptive response.

What is the inflammatory response (acute)?

A general non-specific defense against injury or infection; the second line of innate immunity.

What constitutes the first line of innate immunity?

Skin and mucus membranes (barriers).

What occurs during the vascular stage of inflammation?

Vasodilation and increased capillary permeability leading to erythema, swelling, and pain.

Which cells dominate the cellular stage of inflammation?

White blood cells (neutrophils and macrophages predominate); platelets are involved.

What is the goal of inflammation?

To rid the body of cellular debris and infectious pathogens before they cause infection.

What is infectious disease?

Infection or invasion by a pathogen.

When does infectious disease occur?

When the innate immune/inflammatory response is overwhelmed and cannot clear the agent.

What is the Chain of Infection?

Infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host.

What is Adaptive Immunity?

A specific immune defense against a specific pathogen that innate immunity could not control or contain.

How long does it take to build specific immunity?

About two weeks.