Chapter 1

Question 1

What is immunology?

Answer 1

The study of the immune system and its responses to pathogens.

Question 2

Define the immune system.

Answer 2

A network of cells, tissues, and organs that protects the body from infection.

Question 3

What is innate immunity?

Answer 3

The body’s first line of defense, providing immediate, non-specific protection against pathogens.

Question 4

What is adaptive immunity?

Answer 4

A specialized immune response that develops over time, targeting specific pathogens and providing long-term protection.

Question 5

What is an antigen?

Answer 5

A molecule or part of a pathogen that is recognized by the immune system, triggering an immune response.

Question 6

What is an antibody?

Answer 6

A protein produced by B cells that binds specifically to an antigen to neutralize or mark it for destruction.

Question 7

Define immunological memory.

Answer 7

The ability of the immune system to respond more rapidly and effectively to pathogens it has previously encountered.

Question 8

What is vaccination?

Answer 8

The administration of a weakened or inactivated pathogen to stimulate an immune response and build immunity.

Question 9

What is the primary immune response?

Answer 9

The initial immune reaction following exposure to a new pathogen.

Question 10

What is the secondary immune response?

Answer 10

A faster and stronger immune reaction that occurs upon re-exposure to a previously encountered pathogen.

Question 11

What is hematopoiesis?

Answer 11

The process by which blood cells, including immune cells, are formed in the bone marrow.

Question 12

Define pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell.

Answer 12

A stem cell in the bone marrow that can give rise to all types of blood cells.

Question 13

What is myeloid lineage?

Answer 13

A group of immune cells derived from hematopoietic stem cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells.

Question 14

What is lymphoid lineage?

Answer 14

A group of immune cells derived from hematopoietic stem cells, including T cells, B cells, and NK cells.

Question 15

What is a neutrophil?

Answer 15

A type of phagocytic cell that rapidly responds to bacterial infections.

Question 16

What is a macrophage?

Answer 16

A large phagocytic cell that engulfs pathogens and presents antigens to T cells.

Question 17

What is a dendritic cell?

Answer 17

An antigen-presenting cell that bridges innate and adaptive immunity by activating T cells.

Question 18

What is a natural killer (NK) cell?

Answer 18

An immune cell that kills virus-infected cells and some tumor cells without prior activation.

Question 19

What is a T lymphocyte (T cell)?

Answer 19

A type of white blood cell involved in cell-mediated immunity.

Question 20

What is a B lymphocyte (B cell)?

Answer 20

A type of white blood cell that produces antibodies.

Question 21

What is a plasma cell?

Answer 21

A differentiated B cell that secretes large amounts of antibodies.

Question 22

Define effector cell.

Answer 22

An immune cell that carries out the response to a pathogen, such as attacking infected cells or producing antibodies.

Question 23

What are primary lymphoid organs?

Answer 23

Organs where immune cells are generated or mature, such as the bone marrow and thymus.

Question 24

What is the role of bone marrow?

Answer 24

The site where all blood cells, including immune cells, are produced.

Question 25

What is the function of the thymus?

Answer 25

An organ where T cells mature and develop.

Question 26

What are secondary lymphoid organs?

Answer 26

Organs where immune cells encounter antigens and initiate responses, such as lymph nodes and the spleen.

Question 27

What is the function of lymph nodes?

Answer 27

Small, bean-shaped structures that filter lymph and provide a site for immune cells to encounter pathogens.

Question 28

What is the spleen's role in the immune system?

Answer 28

An organ that filters blood, removes damaged cells, and helps initiate immune responses.

Question 29

What is mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)?

Answer 29

Immune tissue found in mucosal surfaces that provides local protection.

Question 30

What is gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT)?

Answer 30

Immune tissue found in the gastrointestinal tract that helps protect against ingested pathogens.

Question 31

What are Peyer’s patches?

Answer 31

Clusters of lymphoid tissue in the small intestine that monitor gut bacteria.

Question 32

What is phagocytosis?

Answer 32

The process by which immune cells engulf and digest pathogens and debris.

Question 33

Define inflammation.

Answer 33

A localized immune response that involves redness, swelling, heat, and pain to fight infection and promote healing.

Question 34

What are cytokines?

Answer 34

Signaling proteins that regulate immune cell communication and response.

Question 35

What are chemokines?

Answer 35

A subset of cytokines that attract immune cells to infection sites.

Question 36

What is the complement system?

Answer 36

A group of proteins that enhance immune responses by marking pathogens for destruction.

Question 37

What are pattern recognition receptors (PRRs)?

Answer 37

Proteins on immune cells that recognize common pathogen features and trigger innate immune responses.

Question 38

What are Toll-like receptors (TLRs)?

Answer 38

A type of PRR that detects microbial molecules and activates immune responses.

Question 39

What is the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)?

Answer 39

A set of molecules that present antigens to T cells, essential for adaptive immunity.

Question 40

What is antigen presentation?

Answer 40

The display of antigens on cell surfaces to activate T cells.

Question 41

Define clonal selection.

Answer 41

The process by which lymphocytes that recognize specific antigens are activated and multiply.

Question 42

What is humoral immunity?

Answer 42

A form of immunity involving antibodies that neutralize or mark pathogens for destruction.

Question 43

What is cell-mediated immunity?

Answer 43

A form of immunity where T cells directly attack infected cells.

Question 44

What are effector mechanisms?

Answer 44

The processes by which immune cells eliminate pathogens.

Question 45

What are memory cells?

Answer 45

Long-lived immune cells that provide faster and stronger responses upon re-exposure to antigens.

Question 46

Define immunological tolerance.

Answer 46

The immune system’s ability to avoid attacking the body’s own tissues.