Introduction to immunology Flashcards
What is immunology?
The study of physiological mechanisms that humans and other anuimals use to defend their bodies from invading pathogens and foreign agents
What are the pathogens that humans and animals must protect themselves against?
bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, carcinogens, pollution, germs and toxins.
What is an immune system?
A complex set of tissues, cells, and specialised molecules.
What is the purpose of an immune system?
Protects animals and humans from any foreign particles and microbes that may enter the body
Why do we need an immune system?
‘We’ are surrounded by an environment that is full of pathogens and microorganisms
How can lymphoid organs be separated?
Primary organs
Secondary organs
What are the primary organs of the immune system?
Bone marrow
Thymus
What are the secondary organs of the immune system?
Spleen
Lymph nodes
Peyer’s patches
Appendix
Adenoids
Tonsils
What happens in the primary organs?
this is where the immune cells are formed or mature
What happens in the secondary organs?
this is where the immune cells ‘work’
What happens in the bone marrow?
this is where all immune cells develop from hematopoetic stem cells
Which immune cells are formed / mature in the primary organs (specifically the bone marrow)?
B cells
T cells
What happens to B and T cells in the bone marrow?
B cells remain in the bone marrow
T cells move to the thymus
What happens once the B and T cells have developed in the primary organs?
they will move through the secondary organs
What are the roles of the immune system?
- Defence against infections
- Defence against tumours
- Control of tissue regeneration and scarring
- Cell injury and pathologic inflammation
- Recognition of and injury to tissue grafts and newly introduced proteins
What are the implications of the immune system’s defence against infections?
if there is a deficiency in immunity it will result in increased susceptibility to infections
What are the implications of the immune system’s defence against tumours?
potential for immunotherapy of cancer
What are the implications of the immune system’s control of tissue regeneration and scarring?
repair of damaged tissues
What are the implications of the immune system’s cell injury and pathologic inflammation?
- immune responses can cause allergic, autoimmune, and other inflammatory diseases
- while the immune system fights infection, the immune response itself can cause harmful consequences, leading to tissue damage and complications
What are the implications of the immune system’s recognition of and injury to tissue grafts and newly introduced proteins?
Immune responses are barriers to transplantation and gene therapy
How do immune responses work?
Any substance that is recognised as foreign by the immune system provokes an immune response
Which characteristics are important for immune response to occur?
- immunogenicity which is the ability to provoke an immune response
- reactivity which is the ability to react with antibodies or T cells
