Cell Recognition And Immune System Flashcards
What allows the immune system to identify things?
Each type of cell has specific molecules on its surface identify these molecules include proteins and enable the immune systems to identify things
What do the protein molecules enable the immune system to identify
Pathogens
Cells from other organisms of the same species
Abnormal body cells
Toxins
Describe non-specific defence mechanism
Response is immediate and the the same for all path
Describe specific defence mechanism
Respond to slower and specific to each pathogen
Examples of specific and non-specific defence mechanisms
Non-specific
-Physical barrier, e.g. the skin
-phagocytosis
Specific
-Cell mediated response, T lymphocytes
-humoural response, B lymphocytes
Define antigen
Proteins on surface of foreign cell
Toxin or other foreign substance which induces an immune response in the body, especially the production of antibodies
What protein structure are antigens?
Quaternary structure as it has four polypeptide chains joined together
How do b cells respond to foreign antigens?
There’s a variety of B cells a different shapes of receptor
T helper cells activate the cells and simulate them to divide by mitosis
cells with the right shape of receptors for antigen is stimulated to divide
plasma cells secrete antibody
antibodies cause pathogens to clump together this is them harmless and prepare them for destruction
Describe the steps of phagocytosis
The phagocyte is attracted to the pathogens by chemoattractants moves towards a pathogen a longer concentration gradient. The phagocyte bind the pathogen.
Lysosomes within the phagocyte migrate towards the phagosome formed by engulfing the bacterium.
The lysosomes release the lyric enzymes where they break down the bacteria.
The breakdown products of the bacteria are absorbed by the phagocyte
Define endocytosis
The movement of large molecules into cells using vesicles eg phagocytosis
Define exocytosis
Movement of lodge molecules out of cells using vesicles the phago lysosomes fused with the cell membrane and release the debris from the broken down pathogen
How do you T cells respond to a foreign antigen?
A phagocyte has engulfed a pathogen and displays the antigen on its surface
The antigen is displayed to many different T cells in the lymph node
Clonal selection -stimulated t cell divide many times
Helper T cells – these secrete chemicals which simulate phagocyte cells stimulate the cells to produce antibodies and activate killer t cells
Killer T cells - these bind to cells presenting the complementary antigen
T memory cells formed after injection
Describe perforin
Causes perforation in the cell member and making the self full permanent
Describe b lymphocytes
Matures in bone marrow
Involved in humoral immunity
Produce antibodies
Responds to foreign material outside body cells
Responds to bacteria and viruses
Describe T lymphocytes
Matures in thyroid gland
involved in cell mediated immunity responsd to foreign material inside body cells
response to cells altered by viruses or cancer to transplanted tissue
What protein structure are antibodies?
Quaternary structure proteins (4 polypeptide chain)
What are antibodies secreted by?
B lymphocytes eg plasma cells in response to specific antigen
What do antibodies bind to ?
Bind specifically to antigens forming antigen antibody complexes
How do antibodies lead to the destruction of pathogens ?
Antibodies bind to antigens on pathogens forming an antigen antibody complex (specific tertiary structure so binding site /variable region binds to complementary antigen )
Attract phagocytes
Phagocytes bind to the antibodies and phagocytose many pathogens at once
What is a monoclonal antibody?
Antibody produced from genetically identical /cloned B lymphocytes/plasma cells
So have same tertiary structure
How can monoclonal antibodies be used in medical treatments?
Monoclonal antibody has a specific tertiary structure/binding site /variable region binds
Complementary to receptor /protein/antigen found only on a specific cell type(e.g cancel cell)
Therapeutic drug attached to antibody
Antibody binds to specific cell forming antigen antibody complex delivering drug
Some mAbs are also designed to block antigens/ receptors on cells
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How can mAbs be used in medical diagnosis?
(E.g pregnancy tests)
mAb has a specific tertiary structure /binding site/variable region
Complementary to specific reception /protein /antigen associated with diagnosis
Dye /stain/fluorescent marker attached to antibody Antibody binds
Antibody binds to receptor/protein/antigen forming antigen antibody complex
Explain the use of antibodies in the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay) test to detect antigens
Attach sample with potential antigens to well
Add complementary monoclonal antibodies with enzymes attached → bind to antigens if present
Wash well → remove unbound antibodies (to prevent false positive)
Add substrate → enzymes create products that cause a colour change (positive result)
Explain the use of antibodies in the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay) test to detect antigens
(Sandwich elisa)
Attach specific monoclonal antibodies to well
Add sample with potential antigens, then wash well
Add complementary monoclonal antibodies with enzymes attached → bind to antigens if present
Wash well → remove unbound antibodies (to prevent false positive)
Add substrate → enzymes create products that cause a colour change (positive result)