Immunology 1: Lymphoid Cells/Tissue Flashcards
(94 cards)
What is plasma?
the components of blood after red and white blood cells have been removed; contains clotting factors, antibodies, complement proteins, etc.
What is serum?
the components of blood that are neither cells nor clotting factors
What is a titer?
the measurement of the concentration of a substance in a solution; most typically refers to the concentration of antibodies specific for a particular antigen
What does the suffix -penia mean?
deficiency, or a lack of
What are bands?
immature neutrophils that are observed during bacterial infections
What are the recognition mechanisms of the innate immune system? (re: onset, response type, number of specificities, activity over time)
rapid response (hours); fixed specificities; limited number of specificities; constant response during course of infection; same reponse for each encounter with a specific pathogen
What are the recognition mechanisms of the adaptive immune system? (re: onset, response type, number of specificities, activity over time)
slow response (days to weeks); variable response; lymphocytes have numerous highly selective specificities; improves during response; involves clonal expansion and memory of response for increased effectiveness in future encounters
What are pattern recognition receptors (PRRs)?
receptors expressed on the surfaces of innate immune cells that recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs); this concept is the reason for limited specificities of the innate immune response
How do cells of the acquired immune system have numerous specificities?
the B and T cells express highly specific receptors that recognize specific structures of a particular pathogen
What are the three broad categories of the non-cellular innate immune response?
mechanical/chemical; microbiological; complement cascades
Name examples of innate immunity mechanical barriers.
epithelial cells joined by tight junctions; longitudinal flow of air/fluid; movement of mucus by cilia
Name examples of innate immunity chemical barriers.
fatty acids; low pH; enzymes; saliva; defensins (antibacterial peptides)
Name examples of innate immunity microbiological barriers.
normal flora of skin, GI tract, respiratory tract, UG tract, eyes
When the complement cascade is initiated, there are three end products that help to control or eliminate infectious agents. They are:
- anaphylotoxins: inflammatory mediators
- opsonins: mark pathogens for uptake & destruction by neutrophils/macrophages
- membrane attack complex: inserts into bacterial outer envelopes to perforate/kill pathogenic cells
What are the three broad categories of the cellular innate immune response?
immune cells
What are the primary lymphoid tissues?
bone marrow and thymus
In what tissue/organ are all acquired immune responses initiated?
secondary lymphoid tissue, such as spleen, Peyer’s patches, lymph nodes, tonsils, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)
What are the functions of erythrocytes?
- transport of oxygen to all cells in the body
2. clearance of immune complexes from circulation
What are the functions of megakaryocytes?
produce platelets, or thrombocytes
What are the functions of bands?
during bacterial infections they move in large numbers to take up and kill bacteria
What are the functions of neutrophils?
- recognize pathogens by their PRRs
2. control bacterial and fungal infections
What is a monocyte?
monocytes are circulating precursors to macrophages; they leave the vasculature, move into tissues, and become mature machrophages
What are the innate immune functions of a macrophage?
recognize (by PRRs), engulf, and destroy potential pathogens
What are the acquired immune functions of a macrophage?
1 of 3 professional antigen presenting cell types that can activate T cells; express antibody Fc receptors that allow it to be bridged into an acquired immune response