Non-specific Defence - Definitions

Question 1

Pathology

Answer 1

The study of disease

Question 2

Immunology

Answer 2

The study of the way the body protects itself from disease. A relatively recent field.

Question 3

Normal flora

Answer 3

Microorganisms in your body and on your skin that are naturally present.

Question 4

Symbiosis

Answer 4

Close and long-term interaction between two different species.

Question 5

Mutualism

Answer 5

When two or more organisms are living together and everyone is benefitting

Question 6

Commensalism

Answer 6

When one organism benefits, and the other organism is not harmed.

Question 7

Opportunistic pathogen

Answer 7

When a pathogen takes advantage of an opportunity not normally available and backstabs their symbiotic partnership.

Question 8

Sporadic disease

Answer 8

Relatively uncommon in a population

Question 9

Endemic disease

Answer 9

Relatively constant in a population

Question 10

Local infection

Answer 10

Infection in a specific place in the body.

Question 11

Systemic infection

Answer 11

Infection spread over multiple systems

Question 12

Primary infection

Answer 12

First exposure with a pathogen

Question 13

Secondary infection

Answer 13

Comorbidities.

Question 14

Immune system

Answer 14

System of the body that protects us from pathogens. The immune system involves multiple organ systems. The immune system extends throughout the body.

Question 15

Nonspecific defence systems

Answer 15

Innate immune system. Immune system of the body that is generic. It responds in the same way to all pathogens. It’s our first line of defense. It reacts quickly, but doesn’t have memory.

Question 16

Avoidance

Answer 16

Anatomical barriers and behavioural barriers. Acts kind of like “primary healthcare”.

Question 17

Resistance

Answer 17

Often requires action of the specific immune system. It reduces or eliminates pathogens from the body.

Question 18

Effector mechanisms

Answer 18

Destroy, remove, clean up anything left behind from pathogens.

Question 19

Tolerance

Answer 19

Body’s ability to withstand damage caused by pathogens.

Question 20

White blood cells

Answer 20

Nucleated cells of the blood

Question 21

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) aka pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells

Answer 21

Cells that are found in red bone marrow to produce white blood cells and red blood cells.

Question 22

Neutrophils

Answer 22

Highly phagocytic and are mainly found in the blood stream and in the bone marrow. They make up 50 to 70% of circulating white blood cells. They’re usually the first white blood cell to find pathogens. They are very mobile, and move in and out of the bloodstream.

Question 23

Eosinophils and Basophils

Answer 23

Less effectively phagocytic, and react mainly against large pathogens too big to be phagocytosed, in conjunction with the specific immune system. For example, they work against parasitic worms and protists.

Question 24

Chemotaxis

Answer 24

Movement in response to chemical stimuli.

Question 25

Substances that stimulate Chemotaxis are…

Answer 25

Microbial compounds, damaged cells, immune system proteins, and products of white blood cells.

Question 26

Adherence

Answer 26

Attaching of white blood cells to some kind of material that needs to be digested.

Question 27

Ingestion

Answer 27

Engulfment formation of a vacuole, bringing something into the cell.

Question 28

Digestion

Answer 28

Hyperlytic breakdown of a substance.

Question 29

The complement system

Answer 29

The complement system is a group of soluble proteins produced in the liver, that function sequentially to trigger the destruction of microorganisms.

Question 30

Cytolysis

Answer 30

Proteins are activated which perforate the pathogen’s cell wall.

Question 31

Opsinization

Answer 31

One of the complement proteins can bind to the surface of foreign cells and promote phagocytosis by enhancing adherence.

Question 32

Interferons

Answer 32

Proteins produced by virally infected cells. They stimulate production of enzymes in unaffected neighbouring cells. The enzymes interfere with viral replication.

Question 33

Histamine

Answer 33

An example of an enzyme that promotes inflammatory response. It dilates and expands the blood vessels and causes contraction of smooth muscle.

Question 34

Cytokines

Answer 34

Chemical signals that trigger a very generalized response in cells.

Question 35

Lymph node

Answer 35

Lymphoid organs that monitor the composition of lymph.