Unit 3 Flashcards
(208 cards)
What are the 4 broad kinds of defenses that God has given us against infection?
- Knowledge
- “innate” immunity
- “adaptive” immunity
- antimicrobial drugs
What is “Innate” Immunity?
It is a non-specific, fast acting, small-scale form of defense against microorganisms. Can result in collateral damage, it limits the spread of damage.
What is “adaptive” immunity?
It is an extremely specific, slow to develop, energy expensive defense against microorganisms. It is only acquired after being exposed to a microorganism, therefore it is useful for preventing reinfection.
What are the 3 places where microorganisms and body defenses can meet? (list them in the order in which they usually occur)
- body suface
- interstitial space
- bloodstream
What are the two types of body surfaces where body defenses and microorganisms can meet?
- External (skin)
2. Internal (linings)
How does the skin (external body surface) provide protection physically? 2 ways
- Its cells are multilayered, tightly attached, and closely packed - hard to get through
- tight, mesh-like basement membrane
How does the skin (external body surface) provide protection chemically? 2 ways
- it is low in nutrients and high in salts (not habitable by most microorganisms)
- has germicidal chemicals like oils and acids
How do linings (internal body surfaces) provide protection physically? 4 ways
- packed layer of cells
- basement membrane
- viscous mucous traps microorganisms
- mucous is constantly flowing
How do linings (internal body surfaces) provide a chemical protection?
Enzymes in the mucous called lysozymes act on microorganisms with cell walls made of peptidoglycan, by cutting up the peptidoglycan
How do linings (internal body surfaces) provide a biological protection?
The natural flora in the bodies linings compete against pathogens. This is called microbial antagonism.
What are the 3 types of non-specific defense that the body provides beneath either body surfaces?
- Phagocytic cells
- NK cells/lymphocytes
- inflammation
How do Phagocytic cells provide non-specific defense beneath body surfaces?
Macrophages and dendritic cells reside beneath body surfaces. They work by expressing TLR’s which they use to recognize pathogenic invaders, they respond by phagocytosing them. (small line of defense, may be overwhelmed by microorganisms)
How do NK cells/lymphocytes provide non-specific defense beneath body surfaces?
When host cells undergo ‘stress’ they secrete a ligand, called MIC/A. NK cells/lymphocytes have a receptor called NKG2D which binds to MIC/A and responds in one of two ways. 1. induce apoptosis of infected host cell OR 2. secrete proteins called perforins that punch holes in the infected host cells plasma membrane
What four things occur as a result of inflammation in terms of non-specific defense?
- blood vessels dilate (vasodilation)
- blood vessels become more permeable
- reconstruction is initiated
- non-specific systemic responses to microbial invasion occur
What benefits does the dilation of blood vessels during inflammation provide?
It allows for blood cells (specifically neutrophils) to be brought in. Neutrophils provide defense in three ways: 1. they phagocytose microorganisms
- they release oxidizing agents
- they lyse themselves, creating a DNA net that traps microorganisms (the negative charge from DNA absorbs important charged ions essential to microorganisms survival
How can microorganisms protect themselves from the effects of neutrophils lysing themselves?
If they have DNase (like staph does) than they can simply break down the DNA net formed
What does diapedesis mean?
It means movement across, specifically across a membrane
How can the releasing of oxidizing agents by neutrophils be bad?
Because it can lead to a significant amount of collateral damage.
Why is it important that blood vessels become more permeable during inflammation? (what important things cross out of the vessels)
It allows for blood proteins to escape from the capillaries and into the damaged/infected area
What types of blood proteins leave the capillaries during inflammation? What other substance leaves the capillaries and why?
- complement proteins
- clotting proteins
- antibodies
fluid also escapes from the vessels due to osmosis
What are complement proteins /where do they come from? What do they do?
Complement proteins are made by the liver, it is always available and therefore provides immediate defense. It acts in two ways: 1. it attaches to microorganisms, marking them for neutrophils to phagocytose 2. bore holes in the PM which leads to lysis (could be bad bc collateral damage)
What type of clotting protein leaves the capillaries during vasodilation of inflammation? What does it do?
Fibrin, It produces a clot around the bacteria, this limits their spread. (unless the bacteria secrete fibrinolysin)
What do antibodies do?
If you have been exposed to a microorganism before, antibodies act by marking them so that they can be phagocytosed
Why is fluid exiting the bloodstream along with blood proteins during inflammation both good and bad?
It is good because along with water come nutrients. It is bad because it accumulates and causes swelling which causes pain.