Immune Response

Question 0

Explain immunity.

Answer 0

Protection from disease and more specifically, infectious disease.

Question 1

What is the immune response?

Answer 1

The immune response is the collective coordinated response of the cells and molecules of the immune system.

Question 2

What are the two types of immune defences? Explain.

Answer 2

Innate - early response. Can distinguish self from non-self but not between pathogens.

Adaptive - later response. Specific response to recognised pathogens.

The innate response stimulates and influences the adaptive response which often enhances the defence of innate immunity.

Question 3

Innate immunity is also known as what?

Answer 3

Natural or native immunity.

Question 4

What does innate immunity consist?

Answer 4

Consists of cellular and biochemical defences that are in place before infection and rapidly respond to it. It normally responds to microbes.

Question 5

Adaptive immunity is also known as?

Answer 5

Acquired or specific immunity.

Question 6

Adaptive immunity recognised and reacts to?

Answer 6

A large number of microbes and non-microbes. It can distinguish between microbes.

Question 7

Name six things that can be antigens.

Answer 7

• bacteria
• fungi
• viruses
• Protozoa
• parasites
• plant pollen
• poison ivy resin
• insect venom
• transplanted organs
• lipids
• nucleic acids

Question 8

What is secreted in response to antigens? Explain.

Answer 8

Antibodies or immunoglobulins.

Antigens are recognised by receptors on immune cells and by proteins, which are then secreted to response to the antigens.

Question 9

Name the four different immune system responses.

Answer 9

• active immunity
• passive immunity
• humoral immunity
• complement system

Question 10

Explain active immunity.

Answer 10

• requires immunisation or contact with a disease
• called active because it depends on a response to an antigen by the immune system
• last long but takes a few days to weeks to become active after exposure
• responds quickly on subsequent exposure due to B and T cells and circulating antibodies

Question 11

Explain passive immunity.

Answer 11

• immunity transferred from another source

- short term protection, lasting weeks to months

Question 12

Explain humoral immunity.

Answer 12

• B lymphocytes that mature into plasma cells which produce and secrete antibodies
• combination of an antigen and antibody

Question 13

Explain cell mediated immunity.

Answer 13

• provides protection against viruses, intracellular bacteria and cancer cells
• T lymphocytes and effectors macrophages

Question 14

Explain the complement system.

Answer 14

Primary mediator of both innate and adaptive immunity that allows the body to produce an inflammatory response, lyse foreign cells and increase phagocytosis, must be activated in correct sequence.

Question 15

Give a example of an autoimmune disorder.

Answer 15

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Question 16

Immunodeficiency is an ________ response.

Answer 16

Inadequate

Question 17

Allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases have a ________ response.

Answer 17

Excessive

Question 18

Explain mother to baby transfer in regards to immune response.

Answer 18

Maternal IgG antibodies cross the placenta and remain functional for 3-6 months. Most transfers occur in late pregnancy so premature babies may not be protected.

Question 19

Name four points regarding immune response in the elderly.

Answer 19

• declining efficiency of immune responsiveness
• more susceptible to infections
• more evidence of auto-immune disorders
• higher incidence of cancer
• vaccination less effective than when younger
• thymus gland smaller

Question 20

Name four inflammatory mediators.

Answer 20

• histamine
• serotonin
• arachidonic cell metabolites
• platelet activating factor
• cytokines
• nitric oxide

Question 21

Name the two types on inflammation manifestations and give two examples for each.

Answer 21

Local manifestations:

• swelling
• heat
• exudates
• ulcer or abscess formation

Systemic manifestations:

• acute-phase response
• white cell response
• lymphadentitis