Introduction to Immunology Flashcards

1
Q

What would happen if we didn’t have an immune system?

A

We would be overcolonised by many different organisms

Resulting in the failure and loss of the integrity of our organ system

Death

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2
Q

Why do we need an immune system?

A

We are essentially a warm bag of food

Our blood & extracellular fluid is full of proteins and sugars

Our constant internal temperature encourages growth

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3
Q

Define Immunology

A

Is the study of the immune system

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4
Q

Define Immunity (Resistance)

A

Is the ability of the body to prevent disease, damage or infection using our defence mechanisms

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5
Q

Define Vulnerability

A

Is termed susceptibility

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6
Q

What are the two types of immunity?

A

Innate immunity and .Adaptive immunity

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7
Q

Define Non Specific immunity

A

Refers to the defences present at birth

It does not involve specific recognition of a microbe

It acts against all microbes in the same way

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8
Q

What makes up the first line of Physical and chemical barriers?

A

Skin

Mucus membranes

Secretions

Cilia

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9
Q

What is the role of the intact Skin epidermis?

A

Forms mechanical barrier that prevents entry of pathogens and other harmful substances

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10
Q

What is the role of the intact Acid Mantle?

A

Skin secretions (perspiration and sebum) make epidermal surface acidic, which inhibits bacterial growth, sebum also contains bactericidal chemicals

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11
Q

What is the role of the intact Keratin?

A

Provides resistance against acids, Alkalis and Bacterial enzymes

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12
Q

What is the role of the intact Intact mucous membranes?

A

Form mechanical barrier that prevents entry of pathogens

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13
Q

What is the role of the Mucus?

A

Traps microorganisms in respiratory and digestive tracts

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14
Q

What is the role of the Nasal Hairs?

A

Filters and trap microorganisms in passages

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15
Q

What is the role of the Cilia?

A

Propel debris-laden mucus away from lower respiratory passages

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16
Q

What is the role of the Gastric Juice?

A

Contains concentrated hydrochloric acid and protein-digesting enzymes that destroy pathogens in the stomach

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17
Q

What is the role of the Acid Mantle of vagina

A

Inhibits growth of most bacteria and fungi in female reproduction tract

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18
Q

What is the role of the Lacrimal secretion (tears), saliva?

A

Continuously lubricate and cleanse eyes (tears) and oral cavity (saliva), contains lyzozyme, an enzyme that destroys microorganisms

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19
Q

What is the role of Urine?

A

Normal acid pH inhibits bacterial growth, cleanses the lower urinary tract as it flushes from the body.

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20
Q

What is in the second line of defense?

A

Antimicrobial substances / processes / cells

Natural killer cells

Basophils / Eosinophils

Neutophils

Macrophages

Inflammation / Fever

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21
Q

What are the two roles of the Dendritic cells?

A

Have a phagocytic role in the innate immune system

Activate the adaptive immune system

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22
Q

Define Specific immunity

A

Refers to the defences that involve specific recognition of a microbe

Once it has breached the innate immunity defences

It is based on a specific response to a specific microbe

It is able to adapt/adjust to handle specific microbes

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23
Q

What are the main components of adaptive immunity?

A

Lymphocytes (Type of white blood cells)

T Lymphocytes (T Cells)

B Lymphocytes (B Cells)

Dendritic cells

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24
Q

What are components of Humoral immunity?

A

B cells / Plasma Cells

Antibody immunity

Can involve “classical” complement

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25
Q

What are the components of Cell mediated (Cellular) Immunity?

A

T cells

Activation of macrophages & NK cells

Release of cytokines (chemical mediators)

Delayed Type Hypersensitivity (DTH)

AKA –Type IV Hypersensitivity

Antibody independent (Takes 2-3 days to develop)

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26
Q

What are the components of a Neutrophil?

A

Multilobednucleus

  • Commonest leucocyte
  • 2500-7500/mm3 of blood
  • A short-lived phagocytic cell
  • Contains granules
  • Full of numerous bactericidal substances
  • Proteases / MPO > Hypochlorite / Defensins
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27
Q

What is the role of Neutrophils?

A

They undergo Phagocytosis and the killing of Microorganisms

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28
Q

How do Neutrophils interact with the Adaptive immunity?

A
  • “opsonised” by IgGor complement
  • Opsoniummeans ‘relish’ (tagged for phagocytosis)
  • Functions as effector cell of humoral immunity
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29
Q

What are the components of a Eosinophil?

A

A leucocyte (white blood cell)

Granulocyte

1-6% of white blood cells

Large refractile granules

Contain a number of highly basic or ‘cationic’ proteins (antimicrobial)

Important in killing larger multi cellular pathogens

Abundant at sites of allergic reactions.

Bind avidly to IgE-coated particles

Involved in parasitic infection si.e. helminths

If your eosinophil count is elevated it indicates a parasitic infection > eosinophilia

30
Q

What is the role of Eosinophil?

A

Killing of antibody-coated parasites through release of granule contents

31
Q

What are the components of a Basophil?

A

A leucocyte

With large basophilic granules

32
Q

Basophil) What do the Granules contain?

A

Heparin

Histamine & other vasoactive amines

This why the condition will be itchy

33
Q

Basophil) What happens with the process of Granules released at sites of inflammation?

A

In immediate hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions

Express high affinity receptors for IgE(bind IgE)

Interaction of bound IgE with antigen causes release of basophil granules

34
Q

What are the components of the Mast cell?

A

A tissue cell

Similar to its circulating counterpart, the basophil

35
Q

Mast Cell) What happens upon stimulation?

A

It can rapidly release inflammatory mediators

Heparin

Histamine & other vasoactive amines

36
Q

What is the role of the Mast Cell?

A

Expulsion of parasites from body through release of granules containing histamine and other active agents

37
Q

What are the main components of a Monocyte?

A

The largest nucleated cell of the blood

16-20mm diameter

Develops into a macrophage

When it migrates into the tissues

Infection causes recruitment

Inflammation

38
Q

What is the role of Monocyte?

A

Circulating precursor cell to macrophage

39
Q

List the White blood cells

A

Neutrophil, Eosinohil, Basophil, monocyte and Lymphocyte

40
Q

What are the main components of the Macrophage?

A

A professional antigen presenting cell (APC)

The principal resident phagocyte of the tissues.

Strongly phagocytic of particles and microbes

Phage means ‘eating’

Has receptors for Ig and complement

41
Q

What is the role of the Macrophage?

A

Phagocytosis and Killing of Microorganisms.

Activation of T cells and initiation of immune responses

42
Q

What is the name of the Macrophage in the CNS?

A

microglia

43
Q

What is the name of the Macrophage in the Liver?

A

Kupffer cells

44
Q

What is the name of the Macrophage in the Lungs?

A

alveolar macrophages

45
Q

What is the name of the Macrophage in the Bone?

A

osteoclasts

46
Q

What are the main components of the Natural Killer cells?

A

Type of lymphocyte

Able to kill virus infected cells

Certain types of cancer cells

Microscopically distinguishable

Large granular lymphocytes

Presence of large cytoplasmic granules

Contain perforins

47
Q

What is the Role of the NK Cells?

A

Kills cells infected with certain viruses

48
Q

How are NK cells involved with Innate Immunity?

A

Act independently of antigen presentation and recognition events required for cytotoxic T cell killing

Different from Natural Killer T Cells (NKT Cells)

49
Q

How are NK cells involved with Adaptive immunity?

A

Will also target opsonised cells

50
Q

What are the main components of Dendritic cells?

A

Cells possess long processes

Membranous projections

Which interlock with lymphoid cells

Present antigen to them

They are professional antigen presenting cells (APCs)

Both innate & adaptive roles

51
Q

What is the role of the Dendritic cells?

A

Activation of T cells and initiation of adaptive immune responses

52
Q

What is the role of Dendritic cells in Innate immunity?

A

Phagocytic cells

Like other cells they recognise pathogens through surface receptors and become ‘activated’

53
Q

What is the role of Dendritic cells in Adaptive immunity?

A

Phagocytise pathogens and display their antigen (presentation)

This activates the T & B cells

54
Q

What are the main components of the T lymphocytes? (T cells)

A

A thymus-derived (or processed) lymphocyte.

1500 -4000/mm3blood

6-15mm diameter

Red blood cell 7.2mm diam

55
Q

What are the two main subdivisions of T cells?

A

CD8 (cytotoxic T cells / Tc) –Kill infected cells / cancer cells

CD4 (helper T cells / Th) –Activate macrophages & Tc Cells

56
Q

What are the two sizes of Lymphocytes?

A

Small T lymphocytes -Scanty cytoplasm

Large activated lymphocytes
-More cytoplasm

57
Q

What are the main components of B Lymphocytes? (B cells)

A

A bone marrow derived lymphocyte

The precursor of antibody forming cells

It transforms in to a Plasma cell

The B lymphocyte in its high-rate antibody secreting state

Rarely seen in the blood

but found In spleen, lymph nodes etc

Whenever antibody is being made

58
Q

What is the role of a small lymphocyte?

A

Production of antibodies (B cells) Or cytotoxic and helper functions (T cells)

59
Q

What is the role of the Plasma cell?

A

Fully differentiated form of B cell that secretes antibodies

60
Q

What are the 3 primary roles of the Lymphatic system?

A

Drains excess interstitial fluid –Lymphatic vessels drain excess interstitial fluid from tissue spaces and return it to the blood

Transports dietary lipids –Lymphatic vessels transport lipids and lipid soluble vitamins (A, D, E & K) absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract

Carries out immune responses –Lymphatic tissue and lymphoid organs initiate a highly specific responses directed agai

61
Q

Lymphatic system) What is the role of the network of vessels?

A

Conveys extracellular tissue fluid (as lymph), via the thoracic duct, back to the bloodstream

62
Q

Lymphatic system) What is the Role of the Blind-ended lymphatic capillaries?

A

Which unite to form lymphatic vessels

Vessels have valves to prevent backflow of lymph

63
Q

How does the Lymph differe to the plasma?

A

contains less protein

Some cells (mainly lymphocytes)

Milky in appearance

64
Q

What is Lymphatic filariasis?

A

Elephantiasis of the legs and scrotum

65
Q

What is Onchocerciasis?

A

AKA -Riverblindness

Can cause ‘hanging groin’

Scrotal elephantiasis

66
Q

What are the Primary Lymphoid Organs?

A

Shown in yellow

Bone marrow

Thymus

67
Q

What are the Secondary lymphoid organs?

A

Adenoids

Tonsils

Lymph nodes

Spleen

Peyer’s patches

Appendix

68
Q

What is the role of the Bone Marrow?

A

The major haemopoietic organ

Formation of blood cells

Includes red & white blood cells

69
Q

Haematopoiesis) What are Cancellous bones?

A

Different to compact (cortical) bone which is involved in support

Long bones

Femur / Humerus/ Tibia

70
Q

Haematopoiesis) What are Flat bones?

A

Pelvis

Sternum

Cranium

Ribs & Vertebrae

Scapulae

71
Q

What are the components of the Bone marrow?

A

It produces all blood cell types

  • Except mature T cells
  • Contains -numerous blood vessels
  • A reticular stroma with macrophages
  • Extracellular matrix •Fat cells (yellow marrow)
72
Q

Where do all the blood cell types come from?

A

A pleuripotent haematopoietic progenitor cell

•Or stem cell