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    Immunity STPM

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    jennie
    The immune system consists of major molecules and cells that work together to defend the body. Antigens are molecules recognized by the immune system as foreign, while antibodies produced by plasma cells specifically bind to antigens. Other immune cells include macrophages that phagocytose bacteria, B and T lymphocytes that mediate humoral and cell-mediated immunity, and memory cells that provide future protection. The lymphatic system drains lymph from tissues through a network of vessels and nodes containing lymphocytes that fight infection.

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    Immunity STPM

    Uploaded by

    jennie
    492 views2 pages
    The immune system consists of major molecules and cells that work together to defend the body. Antigens are molecules recognized by the immune system as foreign, while antibodies produced by plasma cells specifically bind to antigens. Other immune cells include macrophages that phagocytose bacteria, B and T lymphocytes that mediate humoral and cell-mediated immunity, and memory cells that provide future protection. The lymphatic system drains lymph from tissues through a network of vessels and nodes containing lymphocytes that fight infection.

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    Immunity-STPM

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    Immunity-STPM

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    The immune system consists of major molecules and cells that work together to defend the body. Antigens are molecules recognized by the immune system as foreign, while antibodies produced by plasma cells specifically bind to antigens. Other immune cells include macrophages that phagocytose bacteria, B and T lymphocytes that mediate humoral and cell-mediated immunity, and memory cells that provide future protection. The lymphatic system drains lymph from tissues through a network of vessels and nodes containing lymphocytes that fight infection.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    492 views2 pages

    Immunity STPM

    Uploaded by

    jennie
    The immune system consists of major molecules and cells that work together to defend the body. Antigens are molecules recognized by the immune system as foreign, while antibodies produced by plasma cells specifically bind to antigens. Other immune cells include macrophages that phagocytose bacteria, B and T lymphocytes that mediate humoral and cell-mediated immunity, and memory cells that provide future protection. The lymphatic system drains lymph from tissues through a network of vessels and nodes containing lymphocytes that fight infection.

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    Immunity

    The major molecules of the immune response


    Antigen
    Any molecule, usually a protein or large carbohydrate, that can be specifically
    recognised as foreign by cells of the immune system
    Epitope
    A localised region on the surface of an antigen that is chemically recognised by
    antibodies; also called antigenic determinant.
    Antibody
    A specific protein (immunoglobulin) that recognises and binds to specific
    antigens; produced by plasma cells
    Major histocompatibility
    A set of proteins found on the surface of cells that label the cell as belonging
    complex (MHC)
    to a unique individual organism
    Cytokines (lymphokines)
    Signalling proteins that regulate interactions between cells in the immune
    system. Important groups include interferons, interleukins and chemokines
    Major cells of the immune system
    Macrophage
    A large phagocytic white blood cell capable of ingesting and digesting bacteria and cellular
    debris. Macrophage is also antigen-presenting cell
    B cell (B
    A type of white blood cell responsible for antibody-mediated immunity. When stimulated, B
    lymphocyte)
    cells differentiate to plasma cells that produce antibodies.
    Plasma cell
    Cell that secretes antibodies; a differentiated B lymphocyte (B cell)
    T cell (T
    The type of white blood cell responsible for a wide variety of immune functions,
    lymphocyte)
    particularly cell-mediated immunity. T cells are processed in the thymus.
    Cytotoxic T cell
    T lymphocyte that destroys cancer cells and other pathogenic cells on contact. Also known
    (T-cytotoxic cell) as CD8 T cell and killer T cell.
    Helper T cell
    T lymphocyte that activates B lymphocytes and can stimulate cytotoxic T cell production.
    (T-helper cell)
    Also known as CD4 T cell.
    Suppressor T cell T lymphocyte that suppresses the immune response
    (T-suppressor
    cell)
    Memory cell
    B or T lymphocyte that is long-lived and provides future immunity against a second
    invasion by the same antigen.
    Lymphatic system
    The lymphatic system consists of widely distributed lymph capillaries which are found in all tissues of the
    body. These capillaries merge to form lymph vessels which possess valves and whose structure is similar to that
    of veins. The fluid within these vessels, the lymph, is therefore carried in one direction only, namely, away from
    the tissues. The lymph vessels from the right side of the head and thorax and the right arm combine to form the
    right lymphatic duct which drains into the right subclavian vein near the heart. The lymph vessels from the
    rest of the body form the thoracic duct which drains into the left subclavian vein.
    Situated at intervals through the lymphatic system are lymph glands or nodes. Lymphocytes, in the
    course of circulation through the blood and lymph, accumulate in the lymph nodes. They produce antibodies
    and are an important part of the bodys immune system. Phagocytes in the nodes also remove bacteria and
    foreign particles from the lymph.
    The movement of lymph through the lymphatic system is achieved in three ways:
    1. Hydrostatic pressure The pressure of tissue fluid leaving the arterioles helps push lymph along the
    lymph system.
    2. Muscle contraction The contraction of skeletal muscle compresses lymph vessels, exerting a pressure
    on the lymph within them. The valves in the vessels ensure that this pressure pushes the lymph in the
    direction of the heart.
    3. Inspiratory movements On breathing in, pressure in the thorax is decreased. This helps to draw lymph
    towards the vessels in the thorax.
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