Anatomy & Physiology Review Test 4 Part 1

Immune System

Organization of the Immune System

o Two mahor categories of immune mechanisms
Innate
Provides general, nonspecific defense against anything
that is not self
Epithelial barrier cells, phagoctyes
Adaptive
Acts as a specific defense against specific threatening
agents
T cells & B cells
Cytokines- chemicals released from cells to promote or trigger
innate and adaptive immune responses

Innate Immunity
o Species Resistance- genetic characteristics of an organism or species
defend against pathogens
o Mechanical & Chemical barriers- first line of defense
Intact skin, mucous membrane
o Inflammation & fever- second line of defense
Inflammation response, phagocytes natural killer cells
Rubor= red
Tumor= swell
Dolar= pain
Kalor= heat
Fever abnormally high body temperature triggered by
inflammation above 98.6
Pyrogens released from damaged tissue (endogenous)
or introduced into the body (exogenous)
o Promote prostaglandin (PG) production
o PGs reset the hypothalamic thermostat to a
higher temperature
o Phagocytosis- ingestion and destruction of microorganisms or other
small particles by phagocytes
Antigen presenting cells Neutrophil- most numerous phagocyte, usually first to
arrive at site of injury, migrates out of blood stream
during diapedesis; forms pus
Diapedesis- process in which immune cells squeeze
through the wall of a blood vessel to get to the site of
injury or infection

Macrophage- largest phagocytic monocyte cells that

grow to several times original size afer migrating out of
bloodstream
Dendritic Cell- long branches or extensions
Phagocytes- identified by location

o Natural Killer Cells- Lymphocytes that kill tumor cells and cells
infected by viruses- 10-55%of all NK are macrophages
o Interferon- protein synthesized and released into circulation by
certain cells if invaded by viruses to signal other nearby cells to enter
protective antiviral state
o Complement- group of enzymes that produce a cascade of reactions
resulting in a variety of immune responses
Lyse cells when activated by either adaptive or innate
mechanisms
Opsonization- process that marks cells for destruction by
phagocytes coded with something

Overview of Adaptive Immunity

o Adaptive- memory component
Part of the third line of defense consisting of lymphocytes
Two different classes of a white blood cell (lymphocyte)
involved
o Classes of lymphocyte- B-lymphocytes & T lymphocytes
B-cell mechanisms- antibody mediated immunity (humoral
immunity); produce antibodies that attack pathogens
T-cell mechanisms- attack pathogens more directly- classified
as cell-mediated immunity (cellular immunity)

B Cells and antibody- mediated immunity

o Develoment of activation of B cells
Pre B cells develop in red bone marrow (prenatal, in the yolk
sac and fetal liver)
Second stage occurs in lymph nodes and spleen- activation of
nave B cell after it binds to a specific antigen
B cells divide repeatedly- serve as ancestors to antibodysecreting plasma cells
Some of the clone cells differentiate to form B cells or
plasma cells
Other remain in lymphatic tissue and become memory b
cells

o Antibodies- proteins (immunoglobulins) secreted by activated B cell

An antibody molecule consists of two heavy and two light
polypeptide chains 4
Classes of Antibodoes- G,A,M,E,D
IgM- antibody that nave B cells synthesize and insert
into their own plasma membranes
IgG- makes up to 75% of antibodies in the blood
IgA- major class of antibody in the mucous membranes,
in saliva and tears
IgE- small amount, produces harmful effects such as
allergies
IgD- unknown
Functions of Antibodies
Complement- a component of blood plasma consisting
of several protein compounds
o Antibodies can activate complement-binding to
an antigen by exposing complement-binding
sites that trigger a cascade of linked chemical
reactions to produce a variety of immune effects
Primary and secondary responseso Primary response- initial encounter with a
specific antigen triggers the formation and
release
o Secondary response- a later encounter with the
same antigen triggers a much quicker response;
B memory cells rapidly divide, producing more
plasma cells and thus more antibodies

T Cell and Cell-mediated Immunity

o Development of T Cells
T cells are lymphocytes that go through the thymus gland
before migrating to the lymph nodes and spleen
o Activation of T cells
T cells displaying antigen receptors on their surface
membranes that are similar to antibodies
A T cell activated when an antigen binds to its receptors
causing the T cell to divide repeatedly to form a clone of
identical T cells
Effector T cells go to the site where the antigen entered,
bind to antigens, and begin their attack

o Function of T Cells
Cytotoxic T cells- T cells release lymphotoxin to kill cells
Helper T cells- regulate the function of B cells, T cells,
Phagocytes, and other leukocytes
Suppressor T cells- regulatory T cells that suppress
lymphocyte function, thus regulating immunity and promoting
self tolerance

Types of Adaptive Immunity

o Adaptive or acquired immunity; resistance developed after birth; two
types
Natural immunity results from non deliberate exposure to
antigens
Artificial immunity results from deliberate exposure to
antigens, called immunization
o Natural and Artificial immunity may be active or passive
Active Immunity- when the immune system responds to a
harmful agent regardless of whether it was natural or artificial;
last longer than passive
Passive Immunity- immunity developed in another individual
is transferred to an individual who was not previously
immune; it is temporary but provides immediate protection
o Adaptive immunity occurs in a series of stages
Recognition of antigen
Activation of lymphocytes
Effector phase (immune attack)
Decline of antigen causes lymphocyte death
Memory cells remain for later response if needed