The Immune System

Description

A study guide for an exam on the immune system that covers it's function, definitions of a pathogen, bacteria, the steps the immune system takes to fight off diseases, immunity, and types of diseases.
Rebecca Sikarev
Flashcards by Rebecca Sikarev, updated more than 1 year ago
Rebecca Sikarev
Created by Rebecca Sikarev over 5 years ago
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Resource summary

Question Answer
What is the immune system? The immune system is a network of cells,tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body from harmful germs.
What is a pathogen? A pathogen is an organism or virus that causes a disease.
What are some examples of pathogens? Viruses, Bacteria, Fungi, Parasites, and Prions
Are all bacteria bad? No. Bacteria in our gut, Lactobacillus acidophilus, helps us digest food,destroy disease causing organisms, and provides nutrients.
What are white blood cells? White blood cells are the cells of the immune system that are involved in protecting the body against both infectious diseases and foreign invaders.
What are white blood cells also called? Leukocytes
What is the bodies first line of defense against germs? A physical barrier including skin, tears, saliva, mucus, and stomach acid
What is the bodies second line of defense against germs? An internal barrier of white blood cells which multiply to eliminate invading pathogens.
How does your body know to fight? Antigens on the surface of pathogens are recognized and trigger a response.
What is the first step of the immune system? Antigens on the surface of pathogens are recognized.
What is the second step of the immune system? The pathogen is then marked with antibodies.
What is the third step of the immune system? The pathogen and/or infected cells are attacked
How are they attacked? They are lysed and engulfed
What is the fourth step of the immune system? The body keeps memory cells for future invasions
What do B-cells do? They label invaders for later destruction
What do macrophages do? They consume pathogens
What do Cytotoxic T-cells do? They kill infected cells
What do Helper t-cells do? They activate B-cells
What else do macrophages do? They consume infected cells
What else do Helper t-cells do? They activate cytotoxic cells
What is the ratio of one white blood cell to body cells. 1 white blood cell: 50 body cells
What are the 3 specific immune responses? 1) B-cells make antibodies that bind to the antigen. 2) Macrophages engulf clumps of bacteria or virus 3) T-cells help the B-cells or kill infected cells
What is the inflammatory response? The inflammatory response occurs when tissues are injured by bacteria. The damaged cells release the chemical histamine to leak fluid into the tissues, causing swelling.
What four nonspecific defenses are caused by pathogens invading the body? 1. The inflammatory response 2. The temperature response 3. Proteins that kill or inhibit pathogens 4. White blood cells that attack and kill pathogens
What three effects does increased blood flow have on an infection site? 1. Swelling 2. Redness 3. Irritation
What effect do fevers have on many disease-causing bacteria? Fevers reduce the production of pathogens
What does the release of the chemical histamine cause? It causes blood vessels to dilate
What are vaccines? Vaccines are weakened or mild forms of pathogens that are injected into the body
What do vaccines do? They build up antibodies to prepare for future attack.
What is maternal immunity? It's when antibodies from the mother are passed through breast milk to the baby.
What are examples of non-infectious diseases? 1) Diabetes 2) Heart disease 3) Cardiovascular disease 4) Cancer 5) Any mental illness
What causes a non-infectious disease? 1. Poor nutrition 2. Smoking 3. Polluted air, water, or soil 4. Inherited diseases 5. Cancer (uncontrolled cell growth) 6. Auto-immune responses
What is an infectious disease? Contagious diseases that are caused by pathogens.
What are some examples of nutritional diseases? 1) Scurvy- caused by lack of vitamin c 2) Heart disease 3) Type II diabetes 4) High blood pressure 5) Cholesterol 6) Gout
What do genetic diseases do? They affect the chromosomes
What are some examples of genetic diseases? 1. Down's syndrome 2. Progeria (rapid aging)
What are the most common types of cancers? 1) Melanoma (skin cancer) 2) Ovarian cancer 3) Breast cancer 4) Testicular cancer 5) Prostate cancer 6) Throat cancer 7) Lung cancer 8) Leukemia (blood cancer)
What are examples of auto-immune diseases? 1) Lupus 2) Celiac and Crohn's disease 3) Eczema
What are vectors? Vectors are organisms that can transfer disease by acting as a host for pathogens
What are common types of vectors? 1) Flies 2) Rats and mice 3) Mosquitoes
What do flies transmit? Bacteria causing food poisoning
What do rats and mice transmit? They carry fleas which can transmit disease
What do mosquitoes transmit? They can carry malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
What are the 2 main types of leukocytes? 1. Lymphocytes 2. Phagocytes
What do phagocytes do? Phagocytes eat pathogens. This allows them to transmit and analyze the eaten pathogen, and then send the information to the lymphocytes.
What do lymphocytes do? They go in search of infected cells and kill them of. They're also called T-cells.
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