Immunology and Cardiovascular Systems

These flashcards cover key topics related to the immune and cardiovascular systems, focusing on definitions, functions, mechanisms, and important processes.

What are the major functions of the lymphatic system?

The lymphatic system returns excess fluid to the bloodstream, filters pathogens, transports immune cells, lipids, and fat-soluble vitamins.

What distinguishes the adaptive immune response from the innate immune response?

The adaptive immune response is slower and highly specific, utilizing lymphocytes such as B cells and T cells.

What is the role of B cells in the immune system?

B cells mature in the bone marrow and produce antibodies to target specific antigens.

What is the function of T cells?

T cells mature in the thymus and can secrete signals to enhance immune responses or destroy infected cells.

Describe the key purpose of lymph nodes.

Lymph nodes filter lymph and serve as sites for immune responses.

What is innate immunity?

Innate immunity is the natural, immediate, and nonspecific immune response present from birth.

What are the major steps in the inflammatory response?

Injured tissue releases inflammatory mediators, leading to vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, chemotaxis, and clearance of debris.

How do phagocytes function in innate immunity?

Phagocytes engulf and digest pathogens, debris, and dead cells through a process called phagocytosis.

What is the purpose of the cardiac cycle?

The cardiac cycle encompasses all events of one heartbeat, involving mechanical and electrical changes in the heart.

What is systole?

Systole is the period of contraction during which the heart ejects blood.

What occurs during diastole?

Diastole is the period of relaxation when the heart chambers fill with blood.

Explain the Frank-Starling mechanism.

The Frank-Starling mechanism states that increased ventricular filling (preload) results in a stronger contraction and increased cardiac output.

What are the primary components of blood?

The primary components of blood include plasma, red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets.

What are the steps in hemostasis?

The steps in hemostasis include vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation (clotting).

What is the difference between hypertension and hypotension?

Hypertension is high blood pressure (≥140 systolic or ≥90 diastolic), while hypotension is low blood pressure (≤90 systolic or ≤60 diastolic).

Describe the role of erythrocytes in the blood.

Erythrocytes (RBCs) transport oxygen from the lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs.

What major structures comprise the heart?

The heart consists of four chambers: right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle.

What is the function of the SA node?

The SA node is the pacemaker of the heart, generating electrical impulses that initiate each heartbeat.

How do arteries differ from veins?

Arteries carry blood away from the heart and have thick, elastic walls; veins carry blood toward the heart and have thinner walls with valves to prevent backflow.

What is the role of platelets?

Platelets function in hemostasis by forming temporary plugs at sites of vessel injury and releasing chemicals to promote clotting.

What causes coronary artery disease (CAD)?

CAD is caused by atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaques in the arteries reducing blood flow to the heart.

What is the purpose of the Circle of Willis?

The Circle of Willis is a circulatory anastomosis that provides collateral blood flow to the brain.

Define anaphylactic shock.

Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction characterized by airway constriction, drop in blood pressure, and potential death.

What is a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)?

A CVA, or stroke, is a loss of blood flow to the brain, resulting in tissue damage and neurological deficits.

What are the signs and symptoms of stroke?

Signs of stroke include facial drooping, arm weakness, and slurred speech, summarized using the FAST acronym.

Describe the composition of blood plasma.

Blood plasma is approximately 90% water and contains proteins, nutrients, electrolytes, hormones, and gases.

How is blood pressure measured?

Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer, with systolic pressure recorded during heart contraction and diastolic pressure during relaxation.

What are the major functions of the lymphatic system?

The lymphatic system returns excess fluid to the bloodstream, filters pathogens, transports immune cells, lipids, and fat-soluble vitamins.

What distinguishes the adaptive immune response from the innate immune response?

The adaptive immune response is slower and highly specific, utilizing lymphocytes such as B cells and T cells.

What is the role of B cells in the immune system?

B cells mature in the bone marrow and produce antibodies to target specific antigens.

What is the function of T cells?

T cells mature in the thymus and can secrete signals to enhance immune responses or destroy infected cells.

Describe the key purpose of lymph nodes.

Lymph nodes filter lymph and serve as sites for immune responses.

What is innate immunity?

Innate immunity is the natural, immediate, and nonspecific immune response present from birth.

What are the major steps in the inflammatory response?

Injured tissue releases inflammatory mediators, leading to vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, chemotaxis, and clearance of debris.

How do phagocytes function in innate immunity?

Phagocytes engulf and digest pathogens, debris, and dead cells through a process called phagocytosis.

What is the purpose of the cardiac cycle?

The cardiac cycle encompasses all events of one heartbeat, involving mechanical and electrical changes in the heart.

What is systole?

Systole is the period of contraction during which the heart ejects blood.

What occurs during diastole?

Diastole is the period of relaxation when the heart chambers fill with blood.

Explain the Frank-Starling mechanism.

The Frank-Starling mechanism states that increased ventricular filling (preload) results in a stronger contraction and increased cardiac output.

What are the primary components of blood?

The primary components of blood include plasma, red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets.

What are the steps in hemostasis?

The steps in hemostasis include vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation (clotting).

What is the difference between hypertension and hypotension?

Hypertension is high blood pressure (≥140 systolic or ≥90 diastolic), while hypotension is low blood pressure (≤90 systolic or ≤60 diastolic).

Describe the role of erythrocytes in the blood.

Erythrocytes (RBCs) transport oxygen from the lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs.

What major structures comprise the heart?

The heart consists of four chambers: right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle.

What is the function of the SA node?

The SA node is the pacemaker of the heart, generating electrical impulses that initiate each heartbeat.

How do arteries differ from veins?

Arteries carry blood away from the heart and have thick, elastic walls; veins carry blood toward the heart and have thinner walls with valves to prevent backflow.

What is the role of platelets?

Platelets function in hemostasis by forming temporary plugs at sites of vessel injury and releasing chemicals to promote clotting.

What causes coronary artery disease (CAD)?

CAD is caused by atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaques in the arteries reducing blood flow to the heart.

What is the purpose of the Circle of Willis?

The Circle of Willis is a circulatory anastomosis that provides collateral blood flow to the brain.

Define anaphylactic shock.

Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction characterized by airway constriction, drop in blood pressure, and potential death.

What is a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)?

A CVA, or stroke, is a loss of blood flow to the brain, resulting in tissue damage and neurological deficits.

What are the signs and symptoms of stroke?

Signs of stroke include facial drooping, arm weakness, and slurred speech, summarized using the FAST acronym.

Describe the composition of blood plasma.

Blood plasma is approximately 90% water and contains proteins, nutrients, electrolytes, hormones, and gases.

How is blood pressure measured?

Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer, with systolic pressure recorded during heart contraction and diastolic pressure during relaxation.

What is an antigen?

Any substance that triggers an immune response, often a foreign molecule.

What is the primary role of the thymus?

The thymus is where T lymphocytes mature and differentiate into various T cell types.

What are the main types of T cells and their roles?

Helper T cells coordinate immune responses, cytotoxic T cells destroy infected cells, and regulatory T cells suppress immune responses.

What is the function of macrophages?

Macrophages are phagocytic cells that engulf pathogens, cellular debris, and present antigens to T cells.

How is cardiac output (CO) calculated?

CO = HR \times SV, where HR is heart rate and SV is stroke volume. It represents the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute.

What determines a person's blood type?

Blood type is determined by the presence or absence of specific antigens (A and B) on the surface of red blood cells, and Rh factor.

What is the primary function of capillaries?

Capillaries are tiny blood vessels that facilitate the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between blood and tissues.

What are the four main valves of the heart and their locations?

The tricuspid and pulmonary valves (right side), and the mitral (bicuspid) and aortic valves (left side), which ensure unidirectional blood flow.

What are the major functions of the lymphatic system?

The lymphatic system returns excess fluid to the bloodstream, filters pathogens, transports immune cells, lipids, and fat-soluble vitamins.

What distinguishes the adaptive immune response from the innate immune response?

The adaptive immune response is slower and highly specific, utilizing lymphocytes such as B cells and T cells.

What is the role of B cells in the immune system?

B cells mature in the bone marrow and produce antibodies to target specific antigens.

What is the function of T cells?

T cells mature in the thymus and can secrete signals to enhance immune responses or destroy infected cells.

Describe the key purpose of lymph nodes.

Lymph nodes filter lymph and serve as sites for immune responses.

What is innate immunity?

Innate immunity is the natural, immediate, and nonspecific immune response present from birth.

What are the major steps in the inflammatory response?

Injured tissue releases inflammatory mediators, leading to vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, chemotaxis, and clearance of debris.

How do phagocytes function in innate immunity?

Phagocytes engulf and digest pathogens, debris, and dead cells through a process called phagocytosis.

What is the purpose of the cardiac cycle?

The cardiac cycle encompasses all events of one heartbeat, involving mechanical and electrical changes in the heart.

What is systole?

Systole is the period of contraction during which the heart ejects blood.

What occurs during diastole?

Diastole is the period of relaxation when the heart chambers fill with blood.

Explain the Frank-Starling mechanism.

The Frank-Starling mechanism states that increased ventricular filling (preload) results in a stronger contraction and increased cardiac output.

What are the primary components of blood?

The primary components of blood include plasma, red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets.

What are the steps in hemostasis?

The steps in hemostasis include vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation (clotting).

What is the difference between hypertension and hypotension?

Hypertension is high blood pressure (≥140 systolic or ≥90 diastolic), while hypotension is low blood pressure (≤90 systolic or ≤60 diastolic).

Describe the role of erythrocytes in the blood.

Erythrocytes (RBCs) transport oxygen from the lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs.

What major structures comprise the heart?

The heart consists of four chambers: right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle.

What is the function of the SA node?

The SA node is the pacemaker of the heart, generating electrical impulses that initiate each heartbeat.

How do arteries differ from veins?

Arteries carry blood away from the heart and have thick, elastic walls; veins carry blood toward the heart and have thinner walls with valves to prevent backflow.

What is the role of platelets?

Platelets function in hemostasis by forming temporary plugs at sites of vessel injury and releasing chemicals to promote clotting.

What causes coronary artery disease (CAD)?

CAD is caused by atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaques in the arteries reducing blood flow to the heart.

What is the purpose of the Circle of Willis?

The Circle of Willis is a circulatory anastomosis that provides collateral blood flow to the brain.

Define anaphylactic shock.

Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction characterized by airway constriction, drop in blood pressure, and potential death.

What is a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)?

A CVA, or stroke, is a loss of blood flow to the brain, resulting in tissue damage and neurological deficits.

What are the signs and symptoms of stroke?

Signs of stroke include facial drooping, arm weakness, and slurred speech, summarized using the FAST acronym.

Describe the composition of blood plasma.

Blood plasma is approximately 90% water and contains proteins, nutrients, electrolytes, hormones, and gases.

How is blood pressure measured?

Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer, with systolic pressure recorded during heart contraction and diastolic pressure during relaxation.

What is an antigen?

Any substance that triggers an immune response, often a foreign molecule.

What is the primary role of the thymus?

The thymus is where T lymphocytes mature and differentiate into various T cell types.

What are the main types of T cells and their roles?

Helper T cells coordinate immune responses, cytotoxic T cells destroy infected cells, and regulatory T cells suppress immune responses.

What is the function of macrophages?

Macrophages are phagocytic cells that engulf pathogens, cellular debris, and present antigens to T cells.

How is cardiac output (CO) calculated?

CO = HR \times SV, where HR is heart rate and SV is stroke volume. It represents the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute.

What determines a person's blood type?

Blood type is determined by the presence or absence of specific antigens (A and B) on the surface of red blood cells, and Rh factor.

What is the primary function of capillaries?

Capillaries are tiny blood vessels that facilitate the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between blood and tissues.

What are the four main valves of the heart and their locations?

The tricuspid and pulmonary valves (right side), and the mitral (bicuspid) and aortic valves (left side), which ensure unidirectional blood flow.

What is lymph and what is its composition?

Lymph is interstitial fluid that has entered lymphatic vessels. It is composed of water, proteins, salts, lipids, white blood cells (especially lymphocytes), and occasionally bacteria or cellular debris.

What is the role of the spleen in the lymphatic system?

The spleen filters blood, removes old red blood cells, stores platelets and white blood cells, and serves as a site for immune responses against blood-borne pathogens.

How do lymphatic capillaries (lacteals) function in the digestive system?

Lacteals, specialized lymphatic capillaries found in the villi of the small intestine, absorb dietary fats (as chylomicrons) and fat-soluble vitamins, transporting them to the bloodstream.