The Immune System/body defence Flashcards
Antibodies etc. immunisation, + how cuts heal (24 cards)
What does the body have to combat germs and poisons?
A succession of defences
Body defence: first barrier to entry - skin (and mucous membranes)
Skin and mucous membranes line body openings and produce various germicides. Few germs get through or survive the stomach’s hydrochloric acid
Body defence: internal
Main internal defence: white blood cells engulfing germs or producing antibodies
Antibodies
Substances attacking harmful agents; circulating proteins that help neutralise intruders
Antigens
Harmful agents; capable of stimulating an immune response
Lymphocytes
White blood cells manufactured in bone marrow
Functions of lymphocytes (2)
Circulating through and filtering blood and lymph from concentrations in the liver, lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus.
Some produce antibodies and others control antibody output
Thymus
A chest gland active during childhood
Macrophage
Phagocytes
Phagocytes:
White blood cells that surround and swallow intruders (like PAC -MAN)
Neutrophils
Phagocytes
Monocytes
A third type of phagocytes
3 types of phagocyte
Macrophage, neutrophils and monocytes
How do antibodies work?
They circulate proteins that help neutralise intruders. They interlock with the protein sheaths of bacteria/viruses.
Then defensive proteins coat the intruders and phagocytes devour them
Antibodies: defensive proteins name
Complement
Do all types of antibodies attacks all types of antigens?
NO - each kind of antibody attacks just one kind of antigen
What do new kinds of antigen stimulate lymphocytes to produce?
New kinds of antibodies that grant immunity against a fresh disease, perhaps for life
What is needed to prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs?
Special drugs; because antibodies attack any foreign substance
Phagocyte in action:
Phagocyte and bacterium, phagocyte engulfs bacterium, bacterium disintegrates inside phagocyte
Immunisation
Giving vaccines or serums to protect the body against specific diseases
Active immunisation
(Vaccination) Giving a vaccine that stimulates the body to produce its own antibodies, granting maybe lifelong immunity against a disease
Passive immunisation
The introduction of antibodies from another person/animal (immediate, but short- term immunity)
Example of bacteria that are treated with one injection
Diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus (treated with an all - in - one injection)
Do different vaccinations involve the same programmes (when to get vaccines and boosters etc.)
NO - different vaccines involve different vaccination programmes e.g., tetanus requires vaccination monthly and with boosters
