Immune System: Basics Flashcards
What does the immune system do? (2)
- Eliminates foreign substances (i.e. antigens) introduced into the body
- Intended to prevent the harmful effects caused by foreign substances
What are the antigenic substances that the body can have a reaction to? (6)
- bacteria
- viruses
- toxins
- transplanted tissue
- pollen
- food particles
What are the 2 components of the immune system?
- nonspecific immune system
2. specific immune system
What is the nonspecific immune system and what does it do? (3)
- prevents initial invasion by the antigen
- physical barriers
- phagocytosis
What is phagocytosis?
Ingestion and destruction of antigen by WBC’s in the body
What 2 types of immune systems make up the specific immune system?
- humoral immune system
2. cell-mediated immune system
What is the humoral immune system? (3)
- Ag-specific antibody by B-lymphocytes
- Specific immunoglobulin
- antibodies remove extracellular Ag’s
What are the 5 antigen (immunoglobulin) classes?
- IgG
- IgE
- IgD
- IgA
- IgM
What happens to the antigen when antibodies remove extracellular Ag’s?
antigen is neutralized
What is the cell-mediated immune system? (2)
- Involves the production of Ag-specific T-lymphs
2. Cytotoxic cells are produced that destroy Ag-infected cells
What is immunization?
The administration of an Ag to induce resistance to infection
How can immunization be achieved? (2)
- exposure to infectious disease
2. vaccination
What are the different types of vaccinations? (3)
- killed/inactivated
- modified live/attenuated
- recombinant/genetically engineered
What could happen with a modified live/attenuated vaccine?
could get a mild form of the disease
What are the ways an animal could get temporary immunity by antibody administration? (2)
- passive immunity
2. immunoglobulin injection
