serology

Overview of Immunity

  • Types of Immunity

    • Innate Immunity

    • Refers to the natural immunity that an individual is born with.

    • Acts immediately and non-specifically against pathogens without needing prior exposure.

    • Adaptive Immunity

    • Develops through exposure to specific pathogens, leading to the production of antibodies.

    • Takes time (1-2 weeks) for antibody production following exposure or vaccination.

Vaccine Process

  • Vaccination

    • A method to introduce an antigen into the body to stimulate an immune response.

    • Initially does not provide immediate protection; the body must process the vaccine and create antibodies.

    • Memory B cells are created after an immune response, allowing for rapid antibody production upon subsequent exposures to the same pathogen.

Immunoglobulin and Immediate Protection

  • Gamma Globulin

    • A type of immunoglobulin injected for immediate protection after exposure to pathogens (e.g., dirty needle stick, human bite).

    • Provides temporary immunity (a few weeks) until the body can confirm previous exposure and develop specific defenses.

Course Assignments and Deadlines

  • Notebook Journal Check

    • Check Five is due in three lessons (approximately a week and a half).

    • Topics for Check Five:

    • Career pathways

    • Ethical standards

    • School success strategies

    • Resilience

    • Ongoing focus on career pathways; began on Thursday's lesson (Lesson 14).

    • Further lessons to cover ethical standards, school success strategies, and resilience.

Upcoming Quizzes and Reviews

  • Quiz 16

    • Will be taken in class using Proctorio.

    • Review material will be provided before the quiz, and students will have access to study guides for Quiz 16-1, 17-1, and final exams.

Key Definitions in Immunology

Antibodies and Antigens

  • Antibody

    • A protein produced by the immune system that detects antigens (pathogens or harmful substances) and initiates their destruction.

    • Antibodies do not kill pathogens directly but commence the destruction process.

  • Antigen

    • A harmful substance, often a pathogen, that induces an immune response.

    • Marked as a target for antibodies to facilitate destruction.

Types of Immunity

  • Adaptive Immunity

    • Developed through direct exposure to pathogens, leading to the production of specific antibodies.

  • Passive Immunity

    • Acquired from an external source (e.g., maternal immunity given at birth, injection of gamma globulin).

  • Autoantibodies

    • Antibodies that mistakenly target and attack the body's own healthy cells, leading to autoimmune responses.

  • Autoimmune Response

    • Occurs when the immune system erroneously attacks healthy cells in the body.

  • Innate Immunity

    • The natural immune response that exists at birth, which is not pathogen-specific but acts against a wide range of antigens.

  • Inflammation

    • The body's immune response characterized by redness, swelling, and heat in reaction to injury or infection.

  • Immune Deficiency

    • A failure of the immune system to protect the body adequately against pathogens,

    • Examples include genetic disorders or infections like HIV/AIDS, which attack the immune system directly.

  • Humoral Immunity

    • Immunity achieved through the action of antibodies produced by B cells, associated with memory retention from previous exposures.

White Blood Cells in Immunity

Types of White Blood Cells

  • Mast Cells

    • Found in mucous membranes and connective tissues; they dilate blood vessels and release histamine and heparin during local immune responses.

  • Macrophages

    • Large white blood cells that engulf and digest pathogens and dead cells; also help activate other immune cells.

  • Eosinophils

    • White blood cells that release toxins to kill bacteria and parasites; their toxins can also harm healthy tissue when responses are excessive.

  • Monocytes

    • Immature white blood cells stored in the spleen that differentiate into macrophages during immune responses.

  • Natural Killer Cells

    • Attack and destroy virus-infected cells and tumors.

  • Dendritic Cells

    • Present in the skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract; migrate to lymph nodes to activate the adaptive immune response after recognizing pathogens.

  • Neutrophils

    • First responders to infection and inflammation, specialized in targeting bacteria and fungi by releasing toxins.

  • Basophils

    • White blood cells involved in allergic responses and defense against parasites, known for releasing histamine.

  • B Cells

    • White blood cells responsible for producing antibodies; they maintain memory of past infections to respond better to future exposures.

Importance of Antibody Production and Vaccine Efficacy

  • Vaccines serve to stimulate the body's immune response, enhancing its capability to produce specific antibodies against future encounters with pathogens.

  • Testing post-vaccination (e.g., serology testing) may be necessary to confirm the effectiveness of vaccines.

  • Some vaccines require annual updates due to mutations in pathogens, as seen with influenza and COVID-19 viruses.