Immunology overview Revision

what is Immunology

It's the study of how the body protects It's self from Infection, recognises self Vs non-self

what are the 4 functions of the Immune system

Recognises foreign substances, Distinguishes Self from non-self, Removes foreign Substances, Monitor the Integrity of host tissues

Antigen

Anything that Causes an Immune response, these can be pathogens Like bacteria or viruses, allergens Like pollens

what are pathogens

disease-causing antigen, they include bacteria, Viruses and parasites

what does Immunis mean

Exempt an protected from disease

who was Edward Jenner

He created the smallpox vaccine using Cowpox

Louis pasteur

He made vaccines using weakened germs (eg cholera, rabies)

humoral Immunity

B cells Lymphocytes make antibodies to fight In body fluids (pathogens)

Cell mediated Immunity

T Cells directly kill infected or altered cells and help regulate the immune response.

which Immunity works best

Both humoral and cell-mediated immunity are needed together.

What are lymphocytes?

White blood cells:

B cells = make antibodies

T cells = kill infected or help other cells

What is innate immunity?

First, fast defense. Non-specific.

Includes: skin, stomach acid, phagocytes.

What is adaptive immunity?

Slower, smarter defense.

Learns specific invaders, builds memory

for stronger future responses. It involves B cells and T cells.

What are the 4 features of adaptive immunity?

1. Specificity

2. Diversity

3. Memory

4. Self vs Non-self recognition

Difference between innate and adaptive immunity?

Innate immunity provides immediate, non-specific defense against pathogens, while adaptive immunity develops slowly and targets specific invaders, remembering them for future responses.

What is a naïve B cell?

A B cell that has not yet encountered its specific antigen and therefore has not been activated.

How is antigenic diversity generated?

B cells shuffle their genes to make unique antibodies.

What is clonal selection?

When an antigen activates a matching B or T cell, and it makes a clone army of itself to fight the infection.

What is "education" in immunology?

Before birth, self-reactive cells are removed so they don't attack the body. If this fails → autoimmune disease.