Immune Elements and their Analogies Flashcards
hypothalamus
Function: Assesses overall states
Characteristics: decides how much energy the body spends on immunity
Comparison: Federal gov- Congress, executive branch, permanent agencies
TH (helper) lymphocyte
Function: Activates inflammation, macrophages, and B cells
Characteristics: Coordinates immune response
Comparison: Military officers- captains, majors, generals
TR (regulatory) lymphocyte
Function: Supresses immune response, generally and of specific lymphocytes
Characteristics: prevents allergy and autoimmune diseases
Comparison: diplomatic corps
TC lymphocyte (cytotoxic T cell)
Function: destroys altered-self cells
Characteristics: recognizes signatures on MHC I
Comparison: Sappers, Seabees, military engineers
Natural Killer (NK) cell (null)
Function: destroy altered-self cells
Characteristics: can recognize altered-self on first exposure
Comparison: Navy seals, Green berets, etc.
B lymphocytes
Function: recognize antigen, can present antigen to T cell
Characteristics: develops into plasma cell
Comparison: Jame’s Bond’s M- the guy who invents
antibodies
Function: recognize specific pathogenic signatures
Characteristics: tie up pathogens, direct immune cells to pathogen
Comparison: smart bombs with homing devices and signaling units
neutrophil
Function: phagocytosis, part of inflammatory response
Characteristics: move into infected tissues
Comparison: infantry
basophil, eosinophil, mast cell
Function: important defense against parasites
Characteristics: may produce allergic response
Comparison: policing function where you want to keep the bad guys contained without harming the other citizens
sentinel dendritic cell
Function: process and present antigen to TH cells
Characteristics: covered with PM extensions, potent antigen presenters
Comparison: scouts
macrophage
Function: phagocytosis, present antigen after activation
Characteristics: move through tissues, differentiated from monocytes
Comparison: cavalry
follicular dendritic cells
Function: present antigen-antibody complexes to B cells
Characteristics: found in lymph nodes, improve Ig affinity
Comparison: M’s cadre of techies, working to improve defenses
complement proteins
Function: attach to pathogens and debris
Characteristics: kill pathogens and summon immune cells
Comparison: land mines
Megakaryocyte (platelets and fibrinogen)
Function: recognize mechanical damage
Characteristics: plug holes in vessels, summon immune cells
Comparison: city’s Public Works department
