Detectinh Pathogens

Question 1

What is an antigen

Answer 1

Any molecules that stimulates or triggers the immune response

Question 2

What is self antigen

Answer 2

Cells recognized by self receptors as being part of same body

Question 3

Compare and contrast the two MHC class markers

Answer 3

1. Both of the markers are presented on the surface of cells and are unique to individuals
2. MHC I marker are present on all nucleated cells. This distinguish between self and non self.
3. MHC II marker are presented only on apcs involved in the third line of defense for antigen presentation

Question 4

What are the consequences of self tolerance

Answer 4

If self tolerance doesn’t occur, then immune cells will detect self cells as non self and destroy the cells. This will result in an autoimmune disease

Question 5

What is the mechanism of virus in action

Answer 5

1. Virus infects the host cell
2. Tricks the cell and replicates
3. Leaves then cell and invades other cells which results in the second LOD mechanism to start

Question 6

What are allergens

Answer 6

Non pathogenic antigen that triggers an allergic response

Question 7

Why are immunosupressants taken when organ donation occured?

Answer 7

This is to prevent any attacks to be placed on the donated organ. Obviously the donated organ will not have the same mhc class 1 marker as the organ receiver, therefore if detected by leukocytes, it will seem as a non self cell and attack will start. To suppress it. The immunosuppresants are take.

Question 8

Why the immune system is unable to recognize and mount an immune response agaisnt prions?

Answer 8

This is because prions is a misfolded protein which influences the host to also misfold. This causes it the protein to be non functional. Therefore when immune system comes upon it, it cannot be detected as non self as the host own protein has been non functional