Immunology Flashcards

1
Q

There exists an evolutionary arms race between pathogen and host. What does this mean?

A

Pathogen exploits flaws in the defensive barriers of its host
The host evolves to correct those flaws
Pathogen replicates and evolves to evade corrections to exploit other flaws
Pathogen has ability to replicate much faster than the host; host relies on flexible and rapid immune response to combat

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2
Q

Some features of skin that contribute to barring infection include…

A

Tightly packed keratinised cells undergo renewal constantly; limits colonisation
Low pH kills pathogens
Sebaceous glands secrete oils and enzymes to destroy bacterial cell walls

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3
Q

The innate immune system has a ___ response and is ____ to micro-organisms

A

Fast, non-specific

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4
Q

The adaptive immune system has a ___ response and is ____ to micro-organisms

A

Slow, specific

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5
Q

The 5 types of leukocytes (WBCs)?

A

Neutrophils, Monocytes, Lymphocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils + Mast cells

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6
Q

Primary lymphoid tissue?

A

Bone marrow, thymus

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7
Q

Secondary lymphoid tissue?

A

Spleen, tonsils (any sites of AIS activation)

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8
Q

List the leukocyte components of the innate immune system

A

Macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, basophils, mast cells, eosinophils, NK cells

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9
Q

List the protein components of the innate immune system

A

Complement, acute phase, cytokines

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10
Q

Basophils and mast cells mature in bone marrow. True/false?

A

False

Basophils mature in bone marrow; mast cells mature once in tissue

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11
Q

Basophils and mast cells are mainly involved in ____. They secrete ____, leading to _____…

A

Allergic reactions

Secrete histamine and inflammatory mediators, leading to increased vascular permeability and smooth muscle contraction

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12
Q

The main function of phagocytes is?

A

“Eat” cells by ingesting them and mopping up debris

Neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells mainly involved in phagocytosis

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13
Q

PRRs recognise what on bacteria/viruses?

A

PAMPs

Not expressed by human cells

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14
Q

Opsonins enhance…

A

Phagocytosis

Act as a bridge between pathogen and phagocyte receptors

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15
Q

Major opsonins include…

A

C3b, CRP, IgG/IgM

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16
Q

Acute phase proteins are produced by…

A

The liver

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17
Q

The function of cytokines is to…

A

Respond to infection. Modulate the behaviour of cells, locally and systemically

18
Q

Interferons are important in…

A

Limiting viral infections

19
Q

Interleukins are important in…

A

Directing cells to divide/differentiate

Mainly produced by T cells (IL-2 important for T cell activation)

20
Q

Chemokines are important in…

A

Control and direct cell migration

21
Q

Complement involves enzymatically activating proteins in a…

A

Biological cascade, resulting in a rapid response

22
Q

Functions of C3a and C5a

A

Inflammatory mediators - recruit phagocytes

23
Q

List the leukocyte components of the adaptive immune system

A

B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes

24
Q

List the protein components of the adaptive immune system

A

Antibodies, cytokines

25
Q

Antibodies act as opsonins. True/False?

A

True

26
Q

Antibodies are Y shaped glycoproteins made up of…

A

Two heavy chains and two light chains

Heavy chains have variable regions; light chains have constant regions

27
Q

List the immunoglobulins found in the blood, from most to least abundant

A

IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, IgE

28
Q

Main function of IgG

A

Provides antibody-mediated immunity to developing foetus and neonates

29
Q

Main function of IgA

A

Secretory; found in breast milk, saliva, tears

Defence at mucosal surfaces

30
Q

Main function of IgM

A

Found in blood; first Ig produced during infection

31
Q

Main function of IgD

A

Unknown; protection against URT infections

32
Q

Main function of IgE

A

Activates mast cells (causes degranulation)

33
Q

T cell antigen receptors can recognise free antigens. True/False?

A

False

Need to be presented as a complex with MHC molecules

34
Q

MHC I presents to?

A

CD8+ T cells

Expressed on all nucleated cells

35
Q

MHC II presents to?

A

CD4+ T cells

Expressed only on antigen presenting cells (dendritic cells, B cells, macrophages)

36
Q

T cell activation requires…

A

MHC binding to T-cell receptor

B7 binding to CD28

37
Q

B cell activation requires…

A

Antigen binding to B-cell receptor
PRRs recognising PAMPs
Optional co-stimulation by CD4+ cells through CD40L

38
Q

Function of IL-2

A

Activates CD8+ cells

39
Q

Function of IL-4, IL-5 and IFNy

A

Activate B cells; increase killing

40
Q

3 different types of memory cells

A

Helper T-cells
B-cells
Cytotoxic T-cells

41
Q

Name some pro-inflammatory cytokines

A

IL-1
IL-6
TNF

42
Q

What effect do pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 have on the liver?

A

Stimulate release of acute phase proteins (CRP, C3…)