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Immune System Flashcards

(49 cards)

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1
Q

What is lymph

A

Made of mostly water/plasma
- Returns interstitial fluid that leaked out back into the bloodstream
-> returned to blood via lymphatic ducts
-> important in maintaining BP and blood volume
Other components
- leukocytes
- proteins
- electrolytes
- urea, creatine, other waste products

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2
Q

How are lymph vessels different from veins

A

Lymphatics have thinner walls than veins
-> collapse easily under pressure

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3
Q

How is lymph absorbed?

A

1st absorbed at capillary levels
Capillaries-> precollectors-> collectors-> trucks-> ducts

collectors have smooth muscle and valves
- right lymphatic duct drains from RUQ
- thoracic duct drains from rest of body

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4
Q

Cisterna chyli

A

Collects lymph from abdomen and drains into thoracic duct

-lymphatic ducts return lymph fluid to subclavian veins

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5
Q

How does lymph move?

A

Filtration and Diffusion

Additional Mechanisms
- Nerve stimulation
- Mild stimulation of dermal tissue
- Arterial pulsation adjacent to lymph vessel
- Muscle contraction adjacent to lymph vessels (skeletal muscle pump)
- Abdominal/thoracic cavity pressure (respiratory pump)

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6
Q

Lymphangion

A

Functional unit of lymph vessel
- portion of vessel b/w adjacent valves

Contain smooth muscle in walls; intrinsic (self-regulating) pumping mechanism triggered by pressure in the vessel

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7
Q

What are lymph nodes?

A

Found in groups along lymph vessel (encapsulated, 1-2cm)
-> enters through Afferent lymph vessels and leaves via efferent lymph vessels

Filters lymph (metal detectors)
- MACROPHAGES phagocytized bacteria and foreign materials
- plasma cells develop from B lymphocytes exposed to pathogens in lymph and produce ANTIBODIES
plasma cells make antibodies

Macrophages and B cells are security guards

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8
Q

Lymph Nodules

A

Much smaller than nodes
- > no capsule

Located beneath epithelium of mucous membranes
Found in…
- Respiratory tract
-> Tonsils: lymph nodules in pharynx
- Digestive tract
-> Peyer’s patches: lymph nodules in small intestines
- Urinary tract
- Reproductive tract

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9
Q

What does the spleen do?

A

Produces RBCs in fetus
After birth functions…
- Filters blood that flows through it
- Contains plasma cells, producing antibodies
- Contains monocytes and fixed macrophages that phagocytize pathogens or foreign material in blood
-> Monocytes enter when tissue is damaged and needs cleanup and repair
- Stores platelets and destroys them when no longer needed

Monocytes are baby macrophages

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10
Q

What happens in the thymus

A

Located inferior to thyroid (gets smaller as we age)
- Stem cells of thymus make T lymphocytes aka T cells

Thymus University
- Immature T cells are “introduced” to the cells and organic molecules of the body
-> develop self recognition and self tolerance

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11
Q

What is innate immunity?

A

-Non specific response
- Chemical secretions
- Mechanical barriers
- Mucous membranes
- Tears
- Saliva
- Phagocytosis
- Inflammatory response
- Efficiency does NOT increase with repeated exposure

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12
Q
A
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13
Q

What is Adaptive Immunity?

A
  • Specific
  • Carried out by lymphocytes and macrophages
  • Key mechanisms
    - cell mediated and antibody mediated immunity
  • becomes more efficient with repeated exposure

Two Types…
1. Cell mediated immunity (CMI)
-> Develops when T cells w/ protein receptors on cell surface recognize antigens on target cells -> destroy invading antigens
- reproduce to create more cells to battle the antigen
2. Antibody mediated (humoral) immunity
-> B cells become plasma cells after exposure to antigens

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14
Q

Self Antigens

A
  • Cell surface antigens; found on cell membrane
  • HLA complex: group of genes coding for production of specific proteins
    -> helps immune system distinguish body’s own proteins from foreign substances
    -> Normally, immune system ignores self cells/antigens because of self recognition and self tolerance
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15
Q

Non-Self Antigens

A

-Immune system recognizes specific non-self antigens as foreign
-Development of specific response to that particular antigen
-Memory cells produced respond quickly to antigen when encountered again

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16
Q

Mast cells

A

Release histamine and other chemical mediators in inflammatory response

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17
Q

Neutrophils

A

Phagocytosis; active in inflammatory process

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18
Q

Basophils

A

play major role in allergic reactions; release histamine; bind to IGE

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19
Q

Eosinophils

A

Involved in allergic reactions; phagocytosis, antiparasitic and bactericidal activity

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20
Q

Monocytes

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A

Circulate in blood; mature into macrophages upon migration into tissues in response to infection/inflammation (baby macrophages)

21
Q

Macrophages

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A

Phagocytosis; process and PRESENT antigens to lymphocytes for immune response

-present throughout body (develop from monocytes)
-initiate immune response
-Engulf foreign material
-> process and display foreign antigen material on the cell membranes
-> lymphocytes respond to display, triggering immune response
-secrete chemicals

22
Q

Dendritic cells

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A

Phagocytosis; antigen PRESENTING cells

23
Q

Lymphocytes

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A
  1. T cells: originate in bone marrow, mature in thymus
  2. B cells: originate AND mature in bone marrow
  3. Natural Killer cells
    come from lymphoblasts
24
Q

What are cytotoxic T killer cells

Study These Flashcards
A

Bind to antigen and release cytotoxic enzymes/ chemicals (destroy pathogens)

Produces cytokines to attract macrophages

25
What are helper T cells
Regulate all the cells of the immune system via secretion of “messenger” cytokines *Activate B cells and cytotoxic T cells*
26
What are Memory T cells
Remain in lymph nodes for years, respond if exposed to same antigen in future - remember specific antigens -> faster secondary response
27
Regulatory T cells
Suppress immune response when no longer needed (breaks of the system)
28
What do B cells do? And what are the diff types?
Responsible for production of antibodies Most involved in fighting bacteria and viruses that are outside of cells -Plasma cells: product antibodies -B memory cells: can quickly form clone of plasma cells
29
What do Natural Killer Cells do?
Destroy tumor cells, cells infected with viruses, and other foreign cells without need for prior exposure - localized to infected tissue in response to cytokines
30
What are Antibodies
Aka immunoglobulins - Found w/in general circulation and lymphoid tissues - 5 major classes (GAMED) - Constant region -> attaches to macrophages and other effector cells, related to type/class of immunoglobulin -> determines mechanism used to destroy an antigen (IG) - Variable region -> unique set of antibodies that binds to a specific antigen -> gives antibody its specificity for a given binding antigen
31
IgG
- Most ABUNDANT antibody - found in blood and Extracellular fluid - Includes antiviral, antibacterial, and antitoxin antibodies - Crosses placenta, creates passive immunity in newborns
32
IgM
- QUICKEST to respond/ increase immune response - bound to B cells - doesn’t require helper T cells - Involved in ABO blood type incompatibility reaction
33
IgA
- Provides localized defense - Found in secretions - Tears - Saliva and mucous membranes - Colostrum
34
35
IgE
- Binds to mast cells or basophils in skin and mucous membranes - Involved in allergic response -> causes release of histamine and other chemical mediators - Results in inflammation
36
IgD
- Attaches to B cells - Activates B cells and assists them in leaving bone marrow
37
What is the Complement System?
Group of inactive proteins circulating in blood (C1-C9) Activated in innate and adaptive immune response - When antigen-antibody complex binds with C1, it sets off a cascade of rxns -> ultimately cause cell damage and further inflammation when activated (protective response)
38
Explain the Process of Adaptive/Acquired Immunity
2 step process Primary Response - occurs with 1st exposure of antigen - Antigen recognized -> antibody production or sensitization of T cell occurs - 1-2 weeks before antibody level reaches full efficacy Secondary Response - repeat exposure of same antigen - more rapid response, with efficacy in 1-3 days
39
What is passive natural/natural passive immunity?
Passage of antibodies from mother to baby via placenta and breast milk (IgG transferred) - Protection of infant for the first few months of life or until weaned (very limited memory)
40
What is passive artificial/ artificial passive immunity?
Injection of antibodies or IV infusion -> Short term protection No memory
41
What is active natural/natural active immunity?
Natural exposure to antigen Development of antibodies - exposure to pathogen triggers immune response *has memory*
42
What is Active artificial/artificial active immunity
Antigen purposefully introduced to body Stimulation of antibody production - immunization triggers immune response to form antibodies *has memory*
43
What are the Body Defenses ?
1st line of defense - Non specific, mechanical barriers, reflexes - Unbroken skin and mucous membranes - Secretions have enzymes to break down bacteria 2nd line of defense - Non specific - Phagocytosis - Inflammation: limit effects of injury or harmful event in body 3rd line of defense - specific - antibody mediated or cell mediated immunity -> T cells and B cells
44
What happens during Acute Inflammation?
Vasodilation - relaxation of smooth muscles increasing diameter of arterioles Hyperemia - increased blood flow to area Increase in capillary permeability - allows plasma proteins to move into interstitial space along with more fluid Chemotaxis to attract leukocytes - Movement of a substance or cell in response to a chemical stimulus
45
What are the Cardinal Signs of Inflammation?
Redness 1. Redness - Increase blood flow to damaged area 2. Warmth or heat - increased blood flow to damaged area 3. Swelling/edema - increased capillary permeability, protein shift secondary to increase cap. Perm 4. Pain - increased pressure on nerves, prostaglandins 5. Loss of function - lack of nutrients of cells, edema and pain interfere with motion
46
What are the Systemic Effects of Inflammation?
1. Mild fever (pyrexia) - common if inflammation is extensive - Increased WBCs - Increased SED (ESR) 2. Malaise: general feeling of being unwell 3. Fatigue 4. Headache 5. Anorexia (loss of appetite)
47
What happens in Chronic Inflammation?
- Less swelling - presence of more lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts - More tissue destruction - More scarring - Granuloma may develop around foreign object -> small mass of cells with necrotic center, covered by connective tissue
48
What are some Complications of Inflammation?
1. Infection - Microorganisms can easily penetrate edematous tissues - resist phagocytosis 2. Muscle spasm - protective response to pain 3. Ulcerations - caused by cell necrosis and lack of cell regeneration causing erosion of tissues -> can lead to perforation of viscera or scarring 4. Immune suppression - further increases infection risk
49
What are the types of Healing?
1. Resolution - occurs when there is minimal tissue damage - damaged cells can recover - tissue returns to normal w/in a short time EX: mild sunburn 2. Regeneration - occurs in damaged tissues where cells are capable of mitosis (Epithelial cells are constantly regenerating) - nearby cells may proliferate to replace the damaged cells/tissues with identical ones 3. Replacement - Occurs with extensive damage or when cells are incapable of mitosis (cardiac and brain tissue) - functional tissue replaced with scar tissue (fibrous tissue) - loss of function - chronic inflammation and infection lead to more scarring

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