Define immunity
Immunity means to be resistant to a specific disease
What are the 2 ways immunity can be stimulated?
- By an antigen/ immunogens
- By exposing the person to artificial antigens via vaccines or toxoids
What is the substance that is responsible for immunity?
Antibodies which are made by antigens
What are antigens made up of?
Proteins or proteins + polysaccharides
Are bacteria and viruses antigens?
Yes
Do bacteria/ viruses carry only one antigen?
No, bacteria/ viruses can carry more than one antigen
When antigens are received, what are the two cells that get released?
Either B cells (humoral immune system) or T cells (cellular immune system), depending on the antigen received
How do B cells and T cells help our bodies?
They create our bodies’ defense products and memory cells
What are the 2 antibodies produced by B cells?
Immunoglobin G (IgG) and immunoglobin M (IgM)
List 3 things about immunoglobin M
- Is the largest antibody produced in the immune system
- Does not last long in the blood stream
- Their presence indicates recent exposure to antigens
List 3 things about immunoglobin G
- Follows the production of IgM
- Presence of this antibody indicates past exposure to antigen
- Protects you against infection by “remembering” the germ you’ve been exposed to
What is other name for B cells and T cells?
Lymphocytes
What are the 2 groups of cells B cells are divided into when an antigen touches B cells?
- Plasma cells - produces our antibodies
- Memory cells - are inactive antibodies and can be activated in the future if one faces the same antigen
How long does it take to detect antibodies in the host?
1 week if the host has been exposed to the antigen for the first time. Once the memory cells remembers the antigen, it will take a lot faster to detect antibodies
What does the body make more of (2 things) when the body gets exposed to antigens?
More IgG antibodies and more memory cells
What are the 4 factors that affect responses to immunization?
- Individual differences - some people have a more fit immune system
- Site of injection - if the site of injection is at an area with a lot of fat, then the antigen might bound to the fat tissues and not reach the required place
- Immunization product - immunization products have been altered/ improved over the years
- Product failure - this could be due to improper storage or a faulty lot
What are the 2 main types of immunity?
- Innate immunity - the type we have because of our species
- Acquired immunity - is obtained during life
What are the two different types of acquired immunity?
- Naturally acquired immunity (is from Mother Nature)
- Artificial acquired immunity (get via injection, oral or spray
What are the 2 ways to get naturally acquired or artificial acquired immunity?
Passive or active
What is the difference between passive and active immunization (3)?
- Passive immunization uses antibodies whereas active immunization uses antigens\
- Passive immunization is short (3 months) vs active immunization is long (years)
- Passive immunization is used for disease treatment/ short term prevention because antibodies are available immediately vs active immunization is use for disease prevention
What are the 2 products used in active immunization?
- Vaccine - is a suspension of a bacteria or virus that is altered so that it cannot cause the disease but activate immune response
- Toxoid - is a solution made from bacterial exotoxin (soluble proteins that are made by the bacteria) that gets treated so it retains its antigenic properties
What is the product used in passive immunization?
Preformed antibodies (antibodies made in another person or animal like a horse)
When are babies’ immune system developed?
After 2 months
Define communicable disease
Is a disease that spreads from one person or animal to another or from a surface to a person. Patients are not isolated until symptoms appeared so others will get infected
