Immunity

Question 1

Innate Immune System - Characteristics:

Answer 1

• non-specific
• rapid onset
• no memory

Question 2

Innate immune System - Components:

Answer 2

• mechanical factors (natural barriers: skin, mucous membranes)
• cellular factors (phagocytic cells, eosinophils)
• soluble factors (lysosomes, complement)

Question 3

Adaptive Immune System - Characteristics

Answer 3

• specific response (targeted)
• slow response
• immunological memory

Question 4

Adaptive Immune System - Components:

Answer 4

• cellular factors (lymphocytes)

- soluble factors (antibodies, enzymes)

Question 5

Signs of acute inflammation

Answer 5

• heat
• redness
• swelling
• pain
• loss of function
  (SLIPR)

Question 6

An effective immune system must:

Answer 6

• Remain inactivated/switched off under normal physiological conditions
• Be activated by infectious agents and foreign particles (recognition of pathogens and allergens)
• Produce a tailored response to specific pathogen groups (extracellular versus intracellular)
• Respond at the site of infection (recruitment of immune cells)
• Be regulated (turned off when pathogen is cleared)
• Prevent/minimise damage to self-tissues

Question 7

Steps in Acute inflammation

Answer 7

1. disruption to barrier integrity
2. epithelial cell activation pattern recognition receptors signalling: production of host antimicrobial peptides
3. activation of complement pathway: opsonisation, inflammation, killing
4. activation of resident phagocytes: phagocytosis and cytokine production
5. cytokines and complement activate local vascular endothelium: increased phagocytes, complement and HDP activity
6. resolution of infection
7. activation of adaptive immunity

Question 8

Active humoral immunity:

Answer 8

• Develops when the host immune system generates the immune response to antigen challenge
• May be naturally acquired if individual acquires infection or artificially acquired if individual is vaccinated

Question 9

Passive Humoral Immunity:

Answer 9

• Occurs when individuals receive preformed antibodies via direst transfer (artificially acquired) or by vertical transmission from mother to child (naturally acquired)