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Immunology

pathogen-microorganism that can cause disease

phagocytosis-phagocyte attracted to pathogen by chemicals, phagocyte engulfs pathogen, pathogen enters cytoplasm in a vesicle, vesicle fuses with lysosomes, lysosomes released digestive enzymes, lysosome digests pathogen, waste is ejected from cell, antigen is presented on cell membrane.

antigen-molecule that produces and immune response stimulating the production of specific antibodies

antibody-a protein produced in response to a foreign antigen, binds to antigen, produces antigen antibody complex

cell mediated immunity-phagocyte engulfs pathogen, antigen presented on cell membrane, t cell binds, divides by mitosis into t helper cells which stimulate b cells and cytotoxic t cells which destroy pathogen.

humeral response- t helper cells activate b cells which divide by mitosis into plasma (antibody) and memory cells (reinfection).

passive- given from somewhere else, not produced by individual, short term, immediate

active- from memory cells after primary response, long term, takes time

secondary response-memory cells encounter antigen again, divide rapidly, producing memory and plasma cells, plasma produce antibodies quicker.

antigenic variability- antigen mutates, pathogen not recognised, not complimentary, can't initiate immune response

vaccine- antigens from dead or weakened pathogens injected stimulating production of antibodies, initiates immune response producing memory cells, in secondary response, pathogen destroyed.

herd immunity-if enough people vaccinated less chance of disease spreading

monoclonal antibodies-same, all made from same b cell, complimentary to same antigen, cancer treatment, pregnancy tests