Immunology Flashcards
What is immunology
The study of infectious diseases and development of vaccines. Also studies viruses that attack the immune system
What are allergies caused by?
Exaggerated immune response
What is autoimmune disease
When immune system reacts againest its own tissues
Expirements with lab procedures for immunology related issues are used for…
Diagnosis by detecting antibodies againest forgien things
Find microorganisim
Detect substances not related to immune system
Identify subset of cells
How does the immune system work
Has specific responses to forgeign substances called antigens
They are molecules with only one part that is anigenic
Humans have natural resistance to harmful substacnes like skin
What is the immune response process
- Recongnition - recongize anitgen and self
- Specificity - direct response to specific antigen
- Memory - remember the antigen after exposure
Types of immunity
- Humoral Immunity - activiates B cells to provide protection againest foreign substacnes. B cells react to antigen with protien called antibodies
- Cell-mediated immunity - Activiates t-cells to protect aainest tumors, virsus and fungi. The macrophages and cendritic cells take intial contact and the t-cells get summoned after
Immunoglobins (Ig)
Produce plasma cells and are summoned when antigens arrive. once Ig is summoned the antigenic molecules in Ig will properly react to approperiate antiggen. Ig locks on and never leaves
Types of Ig
IgG= highest in concentrations and longlasting immunity. Fc region is attached to placental receptors which gives immunity to newborns and fetuses
IgM = largest antibody. Earliest anitbody to arrive on scene when antigen is detected, present 2-3 days right after
IgA = 2nd most abundant. Secretory anitbody are in tears, saliva and breast milk
IgD = present in small amount. Function is unclear
IgE = Uncommon
Antibody tests
Radial Immunodiffusion (RID) - tests concentration of IgG, IgM and IgA. Uses agar plates filled with patient serum and incubated for hours. Reacts to anti-IgG/A/M stuff in agar which forms precipitate.
Rocket Electrophoresis: Slide of anitbody containing agar is used. Electric current applied to agar to charge molecules in smaple, which responds to electrophoresis
Nephelometry: Small Particles scatter light when beamed passed through
Agglutination: clumping cells because of reeaction with antibody
MOre antibody tests
Enzyme immunoassays - enzyeme is labelled to cause visable reaction and detect antibody/antigen. If color appears its’s positive
Chemiluminescence immunoassays - generation of light because of chemical reaction
Immunofluorescence techniques - used antibodies with fluroescent dye to detect antigen
Immunoblotting - mixes electrophoresis with labelled antibody tests
Flow cytometry and cell sorting - useful when cells need to be identified into groups
What is infectious mononucleosis
Produce excess WBC and weakens the immune system. Caused by infection of B lymphocytes with Epstien Barr Virus (type of herpes).
Symptoms are fatigue, fever, sorethroat, headache and swollen lymph nodes and a increase in WBC and IgM
Immunochromatographic assays are used by getting human specimen into a strip. It goes down the strip into reaction zone. Molecules in reaction zone are bulit to bind to specimen. There’ll be a reaction taht helps with diagnosis
What are Rheumatoid Factors
Anit-antibodies that are againest IgG. Elevates blood and synnovial fluid of 75%-85% of people with condition. Example: Arthritis
What is HCG Hormone
HCG hormone is based on pregnancy test. Existed after fertilization and attachment of early embreyo. HCG hormone test is rapid slide tests based on agglunation. If HCG is in urine, it would bind to anitbodies and not clump which means positive.
What is immunohematology
Study of human blood groups. Scientists type patient blood, test blood for antibodies, blood compatability, give blood.
