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MS - BioMedicine > Immune System - 15 > Flashcards

Immune System - 15 Flashcards

(50 cards)

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1
Q

What is the primary function of the immune system?

A

To protect us from pathogenic microbes

The immune system acts as a versatile defense system against harmful microorganisms.

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2
Q

What does ‘innate immunity’ refer to?

A

Inborn/natural defense mechanisms against any threat

Innate immunity is the body’s first and second line of defenses.

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3
Q

What constitutes the first line of defense in the immune system?

A

Physical barriers created by the skin and mucous membranes

This line of defense prevents pathogens from entering the body.

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4
Q

What is included in the second line of defense in the immune system?

A

Non-specific immune response including immune cells, proteins, fever, and inflammation

This line acts when the first line is breached.

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5
Q

What activates the third line of defense in the immune system?

A

The innate immune system

This activation leads to a specific response towards a particular pathogen.

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6
Q

What is the role of the third line of defense in the immune system?

A

To produce a response towards a specific pathogen through ‘specific/adaptive immunity’

This line creates immune cells that provide memory against various foreign cells.

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7
Q

Fill in the blank: The first line of immune defense can be compared to _______.

A

Border control

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8
Q

Fill in the blank: The second line of immune defense is analogous to _______.

A

Police

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9
Q

Fill in the blank: The third line of immune defense is similar to the _______.

A

FBI

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10
Q

What is the function of phagocytes in the immune system?

A

To engulf and digest foreign bacteria

Phagocytes play a crucial role in the innate immune response.

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11
Q

True or False: Viruses do not mutate.

A

False

Viruses are known to mutate, which can affect immune responses.

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12
Q

What is the significance of memory cells in the immune system?

A

They protect us against previously encountered pathogens like the measles virus

Memory cells are a key component of adaptive immunity.

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13
Q

What is the definition of a pathogen?

A

An infectious agent that can cause disease in a host.

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14
Q

What does the prefix ‘patho-‘ signify?

A

Suffering/disease.

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15
Q

Through which openings can pathogens enter the body?

A
  • Breaks in the skin
  • The respiratory system
  • The digestive system
  • Male/female reproductive systems
  • Eyes
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16
Q

What type of microbes are mentioned as not always pathogenic?

A

Bacteria.

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17
Q

How many bacteria are estimated to be in the intestine?

A

100 trillion.

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18
Q

Fill in the blank: Many microbes can become pathogenic if the _______ permits that transformation.

A

[environment]

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19
Q

What does saliva contain that helps protect the body?

A

Antibodies.

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20
Q

What is the pH level of the stomach that contributes to protection against pathogens?

A

Acidic pH 2-3

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21
Q

What is an antigen?

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A

A substance that can be recognized by leukocytes.

Antigens are often proteins with a specific 3D shape.

22
Q

What are the two types of antigens?

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A
  • Foreign antigens (e.g. on microbes, food, drugs)
  • Self-antigens (present on cell membranes)

Foreign antigens trigger immune responses, while self-antigens help identify the body’s own cells.

23
Q

What role do antibodies play in the immune system?

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A

They are proteins produced in response to a specific antigen that combine with these antigens.

Antibodies are crucial for the immune response.

24
Q

What is the function of self-antigens?

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A

They act as markers for a cell, helping WBCs recognize healthy cells vs. foreign or abnormal cells.

Self-antigens are transmembrane proteins embedded in phospholipid bilayers.

25
What is meant by the term 'leaky gut syndrome'?
A condition where excess immune response occurs due to foreign antigens leaking from the gut into the blood. ## Footnote This can lead to autoimmune conditions.
26
Fill in the blank: Antigens are usually _______.
[proteins]
27
True or False: Antigens only exist on foreign cells.
False ## Footnote Self-antigens are also present on the body's own cells.
28
What is the purpose of self-antigens in the immune system?
To maintain a distinction between the body's own cells and foreign cells. ## Footnote They function as a 'passport' for cells.
29
What happens during transcription in relation to protein creation?
The gene is copied to create the protein. ## Footnote This is followed by translation to embed the protein into the membrane.
30
What is immunological memory based on?
The presence of long-lasting antibodies and very long-lasting memory B- and memory T-cells.
31
Describe the primary immune response.
A slow response with antibodies appearing after several days; a slow rise in IgM followed by IgG.
32
What characterizes the secondary immune response?
A much faster response due to thousands of memory cells; often kills the microbe before symptoms appear.
33
How long can memory cells last?
Decades.
34
What are the ways to acquire immunity?
* Naturally-acquired active immunity * Naturally-acquired passive immunity * Artificially-acquired active immunity * Artificially-acquired passive immunity
35
What is naturally-acquired active immunity?
Natural exposure to a disease - from someone or something we’ve touched or inhaled.
36
What is naturally-acquired passive immunity?
* Transfer of IgG antibodies across the placenta from mother to child * Transfer of IgA from mother to child via breast milk.
37
What defines artificially-acquired active immunity?
Vaccination. Something given artificially to encourage the body to create an immune response against it (pathogen)
38
What is artificially-acquired passive immunity?
Injection with immunoglobulins, e.g., snake anti-venom. The body doesn’t need to create a response because the remedy is given.
39
Fill in the blank: Vaccination encourages the body to create an immune response against _______.
[pathogen]
40
What is the basis for vaccination against certain diseases?
Immunological memory ## Footnote Immunological memory allows the immune system to recognize and respond more effectively to previously encountered pathogens.
41
What do vaccines contain?
Weakened (attenuated), whole or partially-killed portions of microbes ## Footnote These components are immunogenic but not pathogenic, meaning they stimulate an immune response without causing disease.
42
What type of immune cells are activated during the primary response to a vaccine?
B- and T-cells ## Footnote B-cells produce antibodies, while T-cells help in the cell-mediated immune response.
43
Why can the primary response to a vaccine take several days?
Not many cells have the correct specificity to respond to the antigen ## Footnote This limited number of specific cells results in a slower initial immune response.
44
What initiates a more effective secondary response in the immune system?
Subsequent exposure to the living pathogen ## Footnote The secondary response is quicker and stronger due to the memory cells generated during the primary response.
45
What is one challenge noted in vaccine design?
One design for everyone - from healthy immune to compromised ## Footnote This reflects the difficulty in creating vaccines that are universally effective across diverse populations.
46
What is a concern regarding long-term studies of vaccines?
No long-term studies looking at side effects of vaccines ## Footnote The lack of long-term data can lead to uncertainty about potential adverse effects that may appear after extended use.
47
What advice can be given to patients regarding vaccination?
Do the research to make an informed decision ## Footnote Patients are encouraged to understand the benefits and risks associated with vaccines before making a choice.
48
Fill in the blank: Vaccines are designed to create a memory against the _______.
pathogen ## Footnote This memory helps the immune system respond more effectively upon future encounters with the pathogen.
49
What’s in a vaccine that is harmful - list 5 things
Aluminium - heavy metal toxin that accumulates in the brain Formaldehyde - known to cause cancer in humans Latex rubber - can cause life-threatening allergic reactions Mercury - toxic heavy metal MSG Polysorbate 80 - cross BBB
50
List 5 diseases for which there is a vaccine
Cervical cancer (HPV) MMR Meningitis Small Pox Tetanus Typhoid Whooping Cough

MS - BioMedicine (10 decks)

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