Module 2 Flashcards
(174 cards)
innate immunity
- first line of defense against foreign invaders
- operated non-specifically during early phases of an immune response, without the need for prior exposure to the invading pathogen
- fights all pathogens in the same way and is ready to be mobilized upon the first signs of infection
sub-sections of the innate IS
- immune barriers
- inflammation
- pattern-recognition
- phagocytosis
immune barriers sub-section of innate IS
immune system is made of physical, soluble and cellular barriers that are scattered throughout the body
inflammation - sub-section of innate IS
innate immunity responds immediately to an invading pathogen
inflammatory response
the first immune response events following the breach of the physical barrier by a pathogen
pattern-recognition sub-section of innate IS
- innate IS recognizes general patters not specific for any one antigen
- this is largely performed by pattern-recognition receptors (PRR) exposed on innate immune cells
phagocytosis sub-section of innate IS
- some immune cells have phagocytic properties
- the group of cells sharing those abilities are called phagocytes
3 types of immune barriers
- physical
- cellular
- soluble
physical immune barrier
- made of every structure located at the interface between the inside and outside of the body (prison walls)
- made of physical and chemical components
examples of physical immune barrier
- skin
- cilia
- bodily secretions
primary function of the physical immune barrier
prevent or slow down the invasion of pathogens
physical components to the physical immune barrier
- the skin is the largest organ of the body and it creates a barrier that pathogens cannot cross unless it is breached
- mucous membranes cover the cavities of the body including the respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive tracts
- these membranes contain specialized stuctures such as cilia and produce mucous
cilia
hairlike vibrating structures that can trap particles, preventing them from reaching vulnerable areas of the mucous membrane
mucous
viscous substance secreted by mucous membranes
mucous and cilia working together as physical immune barrier
- microorganisms get caught in sticky mucous which prevent them from reaching the lungs
- then the cilia of the respiratory tract sweep these organisms up and out of the body through coughing or sneezing
chemical components to the physical immune barrier
- tears and saliva are mucous membrane secretions which contain active antimicrobial substances such as lysozyme
- gastric acid destroys most bacteria and toxins that enter the stomach
lysozyme
an enzyme that catalyzes the destruction of the cell walls of certain bacteria
gastric acid
digestive fluid formed in the stomach (pH ~2.5)
cellular immune barrier
made of the various cells that play a role in the innate immune response
(prison guards)
examples of the cellular immune barrier
- neutrophils
- macrophages
- dendritic cells
- natural killer cells
primary function of the cellular immune barrier
prevent or slow down the invasion of pathogens that have broken through the PHYSICAL BARRIER
neutrophils
most common leukocyte found in blood of mammals (~45-70%)
function of neutrophils
- phagocytes that patrol the body to find, engulf and destroy pathogens
- circulate in the blood for ~12hrs before entering tissues by diapedesis
- recruited to a site of infection by resident macrophages that have encountered pathogens
lifespan of neutrophils
1-3 days after entering the tissues