Integumentary System

Question 1

What enables the body to resist infection?

Answer 1

The immune system, which protects against pathogens and develops immunity.

Question 2

What characteristics define a pathogenic organism?

Answer 2

Ability to breach barriers, evade the immune system, be infectious, and damage host tissue

Question 3

What are the four main types of barriers to infection?

Answer 3

Mechanical, physical, chemical, and biological barriers.

Question 4

Provide an example of a chemical barrier.

Answer 4

Tears, sweat, or saliva, which contain antimicrobial substances

Question 5

How do biological barriers prevent infection?

Answer 5

Non-pathogenic bacteria on the skin outcompete harmful bacteria

Question 6

What is haemostasis?

Answer 6

The process of blood clotting to prevent blood loss and infection.

Question 7

What triggers the clotting cascade?

Answer 7

Damage to blood vessels activates extrinsic or intrinsic pathways

Question 8

What are the five major types of white blood cells?

Answer 8

Neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.

Question 9

What is the purpose of inflammation?

Answer 9

To localize infection, recruit immune cells, and speed up healing.

Question 10

Name a chemical mediator released during inflammation

Answer 10

Histamines or kinins, which dilate blood vessels and attract immune cells

Question 11

What is the role of the complement system?

Answer 11

To enhance phagocytosis and directly lyse bacterial cells

Question 12

How do interferons help protect against viruses?

Answer 12

By signalling nearby cells to block viral replication and activating immune cells.

Question 13

What is phagocytosis?

Answer 13

The engulfing and digestion of pathogens by neutrophils and monocytes

Question 14

What is the difference between humoral and cell-mediated immunity?

Answer 14

Humoral immunity involves antibodies and targets pathogens in bodily fluids, while cell-mediated immunity uses T-cells to attack infected or abnormal cells

Question 15

What are the stages of humoral immunity?

Answer 15

Antigen recognition by B-cells, activation and cloning of B-cells, antibody production, and memory cell formation

Question 16

What are the stages of cell-mediated immunity?

Answer 16

Antigen presentation, activation of Helper T-cells, activation of Killer T-cells, and destruction of infected cells.

Question 17

How do Helper T-cells assist in immunity?

Answer 17

By releasing cytokines to activate B-cells and Killer T-cells.

Question 18

What do Killer T-cells do?

Answer 18

Directly attack and destroy infected or cancerous cells

Question 19

What is an antigen?

Answer 19

A foreign substance that triggers an immune response.

Question 20

How do antibodies bind to antigens?

Answer 20

Via specific binding sites that fit the shape of the antigen

Question 21

Name the functions of antibodies.

Answer 21

Act as opsonin’s, neutralize toxins, activate complement, and agglutinate pathogens.

Question 22

What is the structure of an antibody?

Answer 22

Y-shaped protein with variable regions for antigen binding.

Question 23

What is the role of memory cells in immunity?

Answer 23

To ensure a faster and stronger response upon re-exposure to the same antigen

Question 24

How do vaccines work?

Answer 24

By introducing a harmless form of a pathogen to stimulate a secondary immune response

Question 25

What is the benefit of the secondary immune response?

Answer 25

It is faster and more robust due to memory cells

Question 26

Why do booster shots enhance immunity?

Answer 26

They re-stimulate memory cells for prolonged protection

Question 27

What are the four main blood groups?

Answer 27

A, B, AB, and O

Question 28

Who is the universal donor?

Answer 28

People with blood group O.

Question 29

Who is the universal recipient?

Answer 29

People with blood group AB.

Question 30

What happens if blood groups are mismatched in a transfusion?

Answer 30

The recipient’s immune system attacks the donor’s blood cells

Question 31

What is tissue typing?

Answer 31

Matching donor and recipient HLAs to reduce rejection risk

Question 32

What causes organ rejection?

Answer 32

The recipient’s immune system recognizes donor tissue as foreign.

Question 33

How does cyclosporine prevent rejection?

Answer 33

By inhibiting T-cell activation.

Question 34

What is a downside of immunosuppression?

Answer 34

Increased vulnerability to infections

Question 35

What are monoclonal antibodies?

Answer 35

Lab-made antibodies that target specific antigens.

Question 36

Name a condition treated with monoclonal therapy.

Answer 36

Cancer or autoimmune diseases.

Question 37

How do monoclonal antibodies function?

Answer 37

By blocking signals, delivering toxins, or activating immune cells to destroy targets

Question 38

What is the main function of the skin in disease prevention?

Answer 38

The skin acts as a physical barrier, preventing pathogens from entering the body

Question 39

How does skin help in immune response?

Answer 39

Skin contains immune cells like Langerhans cells that detect and respond to pathogens.

Question 40

What role do sebaceous glands play in preventing disease?

Answer 40

Sebaceous glands produce sebum, which has antimicrobial properties

Question 41

How does skin’s pH contribute to disease prevention?

Answer 41

The skin’s slightly acidic pH (around 5.5) inhibits pathogen growth

Question 42

What is the role of sweat in preventing disease?

Answer 42

Sweat helps flush out toxins and contains antimicrobial peptides

Question 43

What are the main layers of the skin?

Answer 43

The skin has three main layers: epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis.

Question 44

What is the role of the epidermis in preventing disease?

Answer 44

The epidermis provides a waterproof barrier and contains immune cells.

Question 45

How does the dermis contribute to skin's defense against disease?

Answer 45

The dermis houses blood vessels, immune cells, and structures that repair the skin.

Question 46

What is the role of the hypodermis in disease prevention?

Answer 46

The hypodermis provides cushioning and insulation, protecting internal organs

Question 47

What is keratin, and how does it help in protecting against disease?

Answer 47

Keratin is a tough, fibrous protein in the skin that provides durability and protection