Immunology and the Immune system

Question 1

what is immunology

Answer 1

the study of organisms defense system (immune system) in health and disease

Question 2

what are the components of the immune system

Answer 2

• organs - eg spleen
• cells - eg T cells
• molecules - eg antibodies

Question 3

what is the immune system

Answer 3

an organised system of organs, cells and molecules that interact together to defend the body against disease

Question 4

what are the 3 types of diseases that are affected by the immune response

Answer 4

1. infectious diseases
2. inflammatory diseases
3. cancer

Question 5

what are some examples of infectious diseases

Answer 5

• HIV/AIDS
• tuberculosis
• influenza
• malaria
• SARS-CoV-2 (covid)

Question 6

what are some examples of inflammatory diseases

Answer 6

• arthritis/rheumatism
• allergy/asthma
• lupus
• diabetes
• Chron’s disease/inflammatory bowel disease
• multiple sclerosis

Question 7

what are the 4 types of microbes in smallest to largest order

Answer 7

• viruses
• bacteria
• fungi
• protozoa

Question 8

what are pathogens

Answer 8

disease causing organisms

Question 9

what are the 2 categories of organs the immune system

Answer 9

1. primary
2. secondary

Question 10

what organs form part of the immune system

Answer 10

1. tonsils
2. thymus
3. spleen
4. bone marrow
5. lymph nodes

Question 11

what are the primary organs of the immune system

Answer 11

1. bone marrow
2. thymus

Question 12

what is the function of the primary lymphoid organs of the immune system

Answer 12

the production of white blood cells - lymphocytes

Question 13

what is the function of the bone marrow in the primary lymphoid organ system

Answer 13

serves as a source of stem cells that develop into cells of the innate and adaptive immune system

Question 14

what is the function of the thymus in the primary lymphoid organ system

Answer 14

The primary function of the thymus in the primary lymphoid organ system is to be the site of T-cell maturation. It’s where immature T-cells, which originate in the bone marrow, complete their development and become fully functional immune cells.
- the T cells learn not to react with themselves
- only about 10% of ‘graduate’ (are functional)

Question 15

what are the secondary lymphoid organs of the immune system

Answer 15

1. spleen
2. lymph nodes
3. tonsils
4. mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT).

Question 16

what is the function of the spleen in the secondary lymphoid organ system

Answer 16

the spleen is the site of initiation for immune responses against blood-borne pathogens
- filter blood and mount immune responses. It acts as a filter for blood, removing old and damaged red blood cells, platelets, and infectious agents. Additionally, it contains white blood cells (lymphocytes and macrophages) that help defend the body against infection

Question 17

what is the function of lymph nodes in the secondary lymphoid organ system

Answer 17

the lymph fluid from blood and tissue is filtered to filter out pathogens and maintain the population of mature lymphocytes
- its the site of initiation of immune responses

Question 18

where are the lymph nodes located

Answer 18

they are located along lymphatic vessels

Question 19

what are the 3 layers of defense in the immune system

Answer 19

1st the chemical and physical barriers
2nd the innate arm
3rd the adaptive arm

Question 20

what is the physical barrier of the immune system

Answer 20

the skin

Question 21

what is the epidermis made of

Answer 21

• dead cells
• keratin which gives skin its strength and waterproof barrier
• phagocytic immune cells

Question 22

what is the dermis

Answer 22

a thick layer of connective tissue, collagen and blood vessels
also contains phagocytic immune cells

Question 23

what type of cells are found in the physical barrier

Answer 23

dendritic cells

Question 24

what are dendritic cells

Answer 24

Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized immune cells that act as sentinels, monitoring the body for threats and initiating immune responses
the arms increase the surface area

Question 25

what are the chemical defenses of the immune system

Answer 25

1. antimicrobial peptides 2. lysozymes 3. sebum 4. salt

Question 26

what is function of antimicrobial peptides

Answer 26

forms pores in microbial cell membranes, by disrupting the cell membranes of pathogens they can cause the microbes to die or stun its growth

Question 27

what is the function of lysozymes

Answer 27

an antibacterial agent by breaking down the cell walls of certain bacteria

Question 28

what is the function of sebum

Answer 28

oily substance produced by sebaceous glands, primarily serving to moisturize and protect the skin the oily substance has a very low pH, this acid barrier helps prevent the growth of microbes on the skin

Question 29

what is the function of salt in the immune system

Answer 29

the salt creates a hypertonic environment for the pathogen - water is drawn out of the pathogen creating a hostile environment

Question 30

what are mucous membranes

Answer 30

a membrane that lines various cavities in the body of an organism and covers the surface of internal organs. It consists of one or more layers of epithelial cells overlying a layer of loose connective tissue.

Question 31

what are goblet cells

Answer 31

Goblet cells are specialized epithelial cells that secrete mucus, a protective and lubricating substance found in the respiratory and intestinal tracts. They are named for their cup-like, or goblet, appearance and are a key part of the mucus-producing epithelium.

Question 32

where are mucosal membranes found

Answer 32

- ocular - respiratory - oral - urogenital/rectal

Question 33

what types of parts of the body does mucosal membranes line

Answer 33

parts of the body that lead to the outside and are exposed to air

Question 34

what does the cilia of mucosal membranes do

Answer 34

move mucus and trapped particles away from the body. This coordinated movement, called mucociliary clearance, helps protect the respiratory system and other mucosal surfaces by clearing debris, pathogens, and inhaled irritants.

Question 35

what is the chemical defense of the mucosal surface in the stomach

Answer 35

the low pH

Question 36

what is the chemical defense of the mucosal surface in the gall bladder

Answer 36

bile

Question 37

what is the chemical defense of the mucosal surface in the intestine

Answer 37

digestive enzymes

Question 38

what are the other chemical defenses of mucosal surfaces

Answer 38

- mucus - defensins - lysozymes in tears and urine (enzymes)

Question 39

what are the 2 intertwined arms of the immune system

Answer 39

- innate defenses - adaptive defenses

Question 40

what does the surface barriers of the innate defense consists of

Answer 40

- the skin - the mucous membranes

Question 41

what does the internal defenses of the innate defense consists of

Answer 41

- phagocytes - natural killer cells - inflammation - antimicrobial proteins - fever

Question 42

what is the humoral immunity of the adaptive defense

Answer 42

B cells

Question 43

what is the cellular immunity of the adaptive defense

Answer 43

T cells

Question 44

what is the position of the innate immunity

Answer 44

already in place

Question 45

what is the position of the adaptive immunity

Answer 45

improves during the response

Question 46

what is the duration innate immunity

Answer 46

rapid for hours

Question 47

what is the duration the adaptive immunity

Answer 47

slow over a few days or weeks

Question 48

how variable is innate immunity

Answer 48

fixed

Question 49

how variable is the adaptive immunity

Answer 49

variable

Question 50

how specific is innate immunity

Answer 50

limited specifications as it has no specific memory and can only detect molecular components shared by many pathogens

Question 51

how specific is the adaptive immunity

Answer 51

highly specific as it has long-term specific memory and detects molecular components that are specific to individual pathogens