Immunology: Intro to the Immune System Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Immunology: Intro to the Immune System Deck (22)
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1
Q

what is the role of the immune system

A

identify and eliminate micro-organisms, harmful substances and cancer cells

2
Q

how can we manipulative the immune system to our benefit

A
  • immunisations
  • immunosuppression and anti-inflammatory drugs
  • cancer immunotherapy
3
Q

what does immunotherapy do

A

allows immune cells to recognise, target and kill cancer cells

4
Q

what are the points of entry to pathogens

A
  • digestive, resp and urogenital systems

- skin damage

5
Q

what are the routes of attack of pathogens

A

circulatory and lymphatic systems

6
Q

how does skin act as a physical barrier to pathogens

A
  • tightly packed, highly keratinised layered cells
  • low pH and O2 tension
  • sebacious glands
    • oils, lysozymes, ammonia, anti-microbial peptides
7
Q

describe how mucous protects against pathogens

A

traps pathogens that enter body cavities that come into contact with the environment and remove them via ciliary cells

8
Q

commensal bacteria:

  • relationship with host
  • where are they
A
  • symbiotic relationship with host

- reside at epithelial surface

9
Q

how do we eliminate unwanted pathogens

A

coughing, sneezing, peeing, diarrhoea

10
Q

natural barriers (5)

A
  • traps
  • unfavourable pH
  • lysosymes
  • elimination
  • physical
11
Q

how do we trap pathogens

A

mucous, earwax, cilia, hair

12
Q

where are lysozymes and what do they do

A
  • in tears and sweat

- digest bacterial cell walls

13
Q

where is unfavourable pH (for pathogens in the body)

A

stomach acid, sweat, saliva, urine

14
Q

when natural barriers are breached what cells ingest pathogens first

A

macrophages

15
Q

how do macrophages ingest pathogens

A
  • pinocytosis
  • phagocytosis
  • endocytosis
16
Q

describe pinocytosis

A

fluid surrounding the cell is ingested

17
Q

describe phagocytosis

A
  • antigen PAMPs bind to PRRs on macrophage surface
  • cup extends around antigen and pinches off creating a phagosome
  • phagosome is infused with lysozymes, this kills pathogens and degrades the contents
  • debris released
18
Q

describe endocytosis

A

pathogen binds to cell receptor, cell membrane envelopes around it and it is internalised

19
Q

opsonisation

A

coating of pathogen in soluble factors to enhance phagocytosis

20
Q

what type of proteins are opsonins

A

CRP, C3b, IgM and IgG

21
Q

what happens if the pathogen is too big for a macrophage to digest

A

mast cells step in and degranulate

22
Q

describe mast cells degranulation

A
  • pathogen binds to PRRs, danger/cell damage signals received
  • degranulation occurs and pro-inflammatory mediators are released
  • new pro-inflammatory mediators are produced

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