What are the two types of human defense mechanisms?
- Innate resistance
- Adaptive (acquired) immune system
Innate resistance includes natural barriers and the inflammatory response.
What constitutes the first line of defense against invading pathogens?
- Physical barriers (skin)
- Mechanical barriers (mucous membranes)
- Biochemical barriers (antibacterial peptides)
These barriers help prevent pathogen entry into the body.
What are cathelicidins and defensins?
- Classes of antimicrobial peptides produced by epithelial cells
They provide a biochemical barrier against pathogens.
How does the normal microbiome protect the body?
- Inhibits colonization by pathogens
- Releases chemicals that prevent infection
The microbiome plays a crucial role in immune defense.
What is the second line of defense in the immune system?
The inflammatory response
It is nonspecific, rapidly initiated, and has no memory cells.
What are the components of the vascular response in acute inflammation?
- Vasodilation
- Increased capillary permeability
- White blood cell adherence and migration
These changes facilitate the inflammatory process.
Name the three plasma protein systems involved in the inflammatory response.
- Complement system
- Clotting system
- Kinin system
These systems provide biochemical barriers against pathogens.
What are the three pathways for activating complement proteins?
- Classical pathway
- Alternative pathway
- Lectin pathway
Activation results in opsonization, cell lysis, and more.
What is the role of the clotting cascade in inflammation?
- Prevents spread of microorganisms
- Contains microorganisms at the site of inflammation
- Provides a framework for repair and healing
It is crucial for managing tissue damage.
What do kinin system proteins promote?
- Vasodilation
- Increased capillary permeability
- Induction of pain
They play a significant role in the inflammatory response.
What is the function of cytokines in the inflammatory response?
- Regulate the inflammatory response
They include interleukins, interferons, and tumor necrosis factor.
What are H1 and H2 histamine receptors responsible for?
- H1: Promote inflammation
- H2: Inhibit inflammatory response
They have opposing effects on inflammation.
What is the predominant phagocyte in early inflammation?
Neutrophils
They are attracted to the inflammatory site by chemotactic factors.
What is the role of eosinophils in the immune response?
- Control mast cell vascular mediators
- Defend against parasite infection
They play a specific role in allergic responses and parasitic infections.
What is the predominant phagocyte in the late inflammatory response?
Monocyte/macrophage
They are highly phagocytic and promote wound healing.
What are the stages of phagocytosis?
- Recognition and adherence
- Engulfment
- Lysosomal fusion
- Destruction
These stages are crucial for eliminating pathogens.
What are opsonins?
- Antibody
- Complement component C3b
They coat microorganisms to enhance phagocytosis.
True or false: NK cells recognize and eliminate viruses and cancer cells.
TRUE
They are important for the innate immune response.
What are the local manifestations of inflammation?
- Redness
- Heat
- Swelling
- Pain
These manifestations result from vascular changes like vasodilation and increased capillary permeability.
What are the functions of vascular changes during inflammation?
- Dilute toxins
- Carry plasma proteins and leukocytes to the injury site
- Carry bacterial toxins and debris away from the site
These functions are crucial for the inflammatory response.
What are the three primary systemic effects of inflammation?
- Fever
- Leukocytosis
- Increase in levels of circulating plasma proteins
These effects indicate a systemic response to inflammation.
What are acute-phase reactants?
- Fibrinogen
- C-reactive protein
- Haptoglobin
- Amyloid A
- α1-antitrypsin
- Ceruloplasmin
These proteins are produced by the liver during acute inflammation.
Chronic inflammation can last for how long?
2 weeks or longer
It can also occur as a distinct process without much preceding acute inflammation.
What characterizes chronic inflammation?
- Dense infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages
- Formation of a granuloma
This occurs as the body attempts to wall off and isolate the infection.
