AP-2 Lab 06 Lab Report

Name: ____________________ Section: ___________________

Lab Report: Exercise 6: The Lymphatic System

Activity 1: Microscopic Anatomy of Lymphatic Structures Observations: Sketch of Reticular Connective Tissue Slide (Lymph Node). Describe the structures you observed on the slide

Sketch of Spleen Slide: Describe the structures you observed on the slide

Sketch of Tonsil Slide: Describe the structures you observed on the slide

Sketch of Thymus Slide: Describe the structures you observed on the slide

Questions: A. How are lymph, lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes related? ANS- they are related because; the lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs. It is made up mainly of lymph vessels, lymph nodes and lymph. Lymph vessels, which are different from blood vessels, carry fluid called lymph throughout your body. Lymph contains white blood cells that defend you against germs 1

B.

What are the two major functions of the lymph nodes? ANS- The main function of lymph nodes is to act as a drainage system by absorbing and expelling proteins, dead cells, bacteria and other waste products from the body. Basically they clean and filter the lymph before it is returned to the blood. They are also a major part of the immune system, as they produce antibodies and lymphocytes. If there is an infection present in the body, the lymph nodes produce more lymphocytes to combat the infection. As they are very active at this stage, they may swell and become painful.

C.

What are the two functions of the spleen? ANS- they break down red blood cells and make antibodies. What is the function of the tonsils? ANS- They function to guard against inhaled and ingested pathogens. They have deep pits that catch bacteria and food debris. What are the structural similarities found in lymph nodes, spleen and tonsils? ANS- They all have a capsule, they are rounded organs with an internal parenchyma of lymphoid cells, they are placed strategically about the body in order to maximally filter air/blood.

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E.

Activity 2: Immunity and the Immune Response Observations: Describe what happened to the red and green food coloring after 45 minutes:

Which sera was an antigen in section 2 of the dish? Describe what you observed in section 2 of the dish.

Which sera was the antigen in the unknown sample used in section 3 of the dish? Describe what you observed in section 3 of the dish.

Questions: A. B. Explain what is meant by memory as a characteristic of the immune response. How does our immune response distinguish between our own cells and foreign invaders? ANS- This function is mediated by T cells and B cells (memory cells) in our body via adaptive immunity. The adaptive immune system evolved in early vertebrates and allows for a stronger immune response as well as immunological memory, where each pathogen is "remembered" by a signature antigen. The adaptive immune response is antigen-specific and requires the recognition of specific non-self antigens during a process called antigen presentation. Antigen specificity allows for the generation of responses that are tailored to specific pathogens or pathogeninfected cells. The ability to mount these tailored responses is maintained in the body by "memory cells". Should a pathogen infect the body more than once, these specific memory cells are used to quickly eliminate it. so basically killer T cells will identify antigens present on foreign cells. These antigens are not found in any of the cells inside our body. Therefore, T cells will identify them and kill the What are lymphocytes and where are they produced? ANS- Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell, which are an important part of the immune system. Lymphocytes can defend the body against infection because they can distinguish the bodys own cells from foreign ones. Once they recognize foreign material in the body, they produce chemicals to destroy that material. Two types of lymphocyte are produced in the bone marrow before birth Distinguish between an antigen and an antibody. ANS- Antigens are substances that provoke an immune response (they're the ultimate target for the immune system). Antibodies are simply proteins that are secreted as a result of the antigen provoked immune response. In short, antigens cause the disease and antibodies cure it. Why is the term immune system a misnomer? ANS-Because in order, to be immune you must first have the foreign pathogen in your body so your immune system could create defenses for it.

C.

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E.

Conclusion: Look up information on autoimmune diseases. What are they? Give examples and explain how they help researchers better understand the immune response.

Ans- Autoimmune disorders are diseases that occur when the body produces an inappropriate immune response against its own tissues. Sometimes the immune system will cease to recognize one or more of the body's normal constituents as "self" and will produce autoantibodies antibodies that attack its own cells, tissues, and/or organs. This causes inflammation and damage and leads to autoimmune disorders. The cause of autoimmune diseases is unknown, but it appears that there is an inherited predisposition in many cases. In a few types of autoimmune disease (such as rheumatic fever), a virus or infection with bacteria triggers an immune response and the antibodies or T-cells attack normal cells because some part of their structure resembles a part of the infecting microorganism. Autoimmune disorders fall into two general types: those that damage many organs (systemic autoimmune diseases) and those where only a single organ or tissue is directly damaged by the autoimmune process (localized). However, the distinctions become blurred as the effect of localized autoimmune disorders frequently extends beyond the targeted tissues, indirectly affecting other body organs and systems. In some cases, the antibodies may not be directed at a specific tissue or organ; for example, antiphospholipid antibodies can react with substances (phospholipids) that are the normal constituents of platelets and the outermost layer of cells (cell membranes), which can lead to the formation of blood clots within the blood vessels (thrombosis). Symptoms of autoimmune disorders vary by the particular disorder but many include fatigue, dizziness, and low grade fever. Symptoms can also vary in severity over time. Laboratory tests performed to diagnose autoimmune disorders depend on the particular disorder the doctor suspects a person has, but usually include autoantibody tests as well as tests for inflammation such as CRP and ESR.