Specific Defense and Immunology
1. Define:
Acquired Immunity - Also called adaptive immunity, this is specific immunity that is developed as a result of previous exposure to a pathogen or foreign agent. It involves WBCs called lymphocytes, and the production of antibodies and cytokines.
Humoral Immunity - Humoral immunity is the form of adaptive or acquired immunity involving B-lymphocytes and the production of antibodies. This branch of the immune system is also dependent upon the activity of T-helper lymphocytes and often involves phagocytes.
Lymphocyte - Lymphocytes are agranular leukocytes (white blood cells) involved in the adaptive or acquired immune response. Lymphocytes may be designated as B-cells, T-cells or null-cells (NK-cells) on the basis of their membrane markers.
Interleukin-2 - Interleukin-2 is a type of cytokine produced by T-4 lymphocytes called helper cells (helper-inducer T-cells). This cytokine stimulates the proliferation (reproduction) of other cells, and is a major factor stimulating the formation of clones of B-cells during a humoral immune response. Note - Other interleukins (IL-3, IL-4, IL-5) also stimulate cell proliferation.
Cytokine - Cytokines are high molecular weight substances released by T-cells (and other types of cells) that initiate specific reactions within the body. There are many different types of cytokines including cytotoxic factor, interleukin-2, gamma-interferon, migration inhibiting factor and others.
2. being infected by a disease causing agent or by receiving a vaccine or toxoid/ through the placenta or through breast milk or by receiving immune serum (antiserum). Note - Natural means of acquisition include direct exposure to a pathogen resulting in infection and disease, and receiving premade antibody through the placenta or in breast milk. Artificial means of acquisition include vaccination (receiving vaccine or toxoid), and receiving premade antibody in the form of immune serum (antiserum).
3. being exposed to and infected by a pathogen, developing disease symptoms, and recovering. During this process, the body is induced to produce its own immune cells and substances (antibodies and cytokines).
4. immune serum (antiserum). This may be made by removing the clotting factors from blood plasma containing a high antibody titer or through monoclonal antibody techniques.
5. ingesting breast milk or by receiving antibodies via the placenta
6. lymphocytes/ humoral/ thymus
7. lymphocytes/ thymus
8. red bone marrow/ thymus
9. humoral/phagocytes/T-helper cells (helper T-cells)
10. Phagocytic WBCs consume and digest foreign agents and then present the epitopes (antigenic determinants) of these agents on their cell surfaces. The T-helper cells recognize the epitopes (in combination with MHC proteins) and release cytokines that stimulate specific sub-populations of B-cells to proliferate and form clones.
11. phagocytic WBCs/ Helper-T lymphocytes (T helper cells)
12. consume antigens and present the antigenic determinant groups or epitopes on their cell surfaces/ helper-T lymphocytes (T helper cells)
13. proteins
14. antibodies/ anamnestic
15. isotypes/ IgG
16. amino acid sequence
17. IgM/ IgE
18. antigens (or immunogens)/ phagocytic WBCs
19. antigens (or immunogens)
20. antigens/ antigenic determinant sites or epitopes
21. agglutination reactions/ neutralization
22. anamnestic
23. anamnestic
24. serological/ precipitation/ immobilization
25. Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/ helper-T (T-4)
26. eukaryotic pathogens e.g., protozoa, fungi and multicellular parasites, infected body cells and tumor cells Note - Cellular immunity is also involved in the rejection of grafted/transplanted tissues and organs.
27. cytokines/ interleukin-2/ cytotoxic factor (substance)
28 Cytotoxic T-cells (killer T-cells)/cytotoxic factors (Tumor necrosis factor TNF and perforin)
29. cytokines/ gamma-interferon
30. major histocompatibility complex proteins (MHC proteins) Note - MHC proteins can also be referred to as human leukocyte antigens (HLA)
Copyright 2002 Sierra College Biological Sciences Department
Last updated: 01/18/02.
