Study guide

Immunity Review the components of the immune system and the role of each: Antigen: A foreign substance, such as a pathogen, that triggers an immune response. Antibody IgG: Most plentiful; offers long-term immunity. IgM: First antibody released during infection. IgA: Protects mucosal surfaces like the digestive and respiratory tracts. IgE: Engaged in allergic responses and parasite defense. IgD: involved in the initiation of B-cell activation. Autoantibody: Antibody that erroneously targets and assaults the body's tissues, resulting in autoimmune disorders (Dettmer, 2021). Thymus: Organ that harbors T lymphocyte maturity Lymphatic tissue and organs include lymph nodes, spleen, and tonsils: they filter lymph and fight infection. Bone marrow: Generates blood cells, such as immune cells. Neutrophils: Key players in innate immunity rapidly respond to infections by surrounding and rescinding bacteria and fungi (phagocytosis). Basophils: Generates histamine and other chemicals during allergic responses and swelling, aiding in immune response modulation. Eosinophils: Battle parasitic infections and contribute to allergic reactions by releasing inflammatory mediators (Dettmer, 2021). Monocytes: Using blood circulation, they differentiate into macrophages or dendritic cells to phagocytose pathogens and present antigens. Macrophages: Engulf and destroy pathogens, present antigens to T cells, and secrete cytokines to regulate immune responses. Mast cells: Release histamine during allergic reactions and inflammation. B lymphocytes: B-cells differentiate into plasma cells, which generate antibodies. Plasma cells: They are specialized B cells that produce and secrete large amounts of antibodies to target specific pathogens. T lymphocytes: They are immune cells that destroy infected cells, regulate immune responses, and provide memory for faster future responses. Cytotoxic or killer T cells: Abolish infected or cancerous cells. Memory T cells: Provide quicker immune responses to previously encountered antigens. Helper T cells: Activate other immune cells, including B-cells and macrophages. NK lymphocytes: Kill virus-infected and cancerous cells. Complement proteins: Enhance the ability of antibodies and phagocytes to clear microbes. Histamine: Causes blood vessel dilation, increased porousness, and smooth muscle contraction, contributing to allergy symptoms like swelling and itching. Kinins: Promote vasodilation, enhance vascular penetrability, and stimulate pain receptors during inflammation Prostaglandins: Mediate inflammation, fever, and pain by increasing vascular permeability and enhancing pain sensitivity (Dettmer, 2021). Leukotrienes: Induce bronchoconstriction, recruit immune cells, and increase vascular permeability, which is particularly significant in asthma and allergic reactions. Cytokines: Proteins that mediate communication between immune cells. Tumor necrosis factor: Cytokine used in systemic inflammation. Chemotactic factors: Appeal to immune cells to the infection site Explain how the immune response works. The immune response has two primary arms: Innate Immunity: The first line of defense, non-specific and rapid. Includes physical barriers (skin, mucous membranes), inflammatory response, and cells like neutrophils and macrophages. Adaptive Immunity: Specific and slower but provides long-lasting immunity. Includes: Humoral Immunity: Mediated by B cells and antibodies. Cell-mediated Immunity: Involves T cells targeting infected cells. Innate immune cells respond to the presentation of a pathogen by recognizing a pathogen through pattern recognition receptors and release of cytokines, recruitment of other immune cells, and activation of the complement system. Depending on whether or not the pathogen persists, adaptive immunity is activated when B cells produce specific antibodies and or T cells kill infected cells or protect other cells (Dettmer, 2021). Complete the following table. Type of Hypersensitivity Reaction What Is Occurring? What Are the Signs and Symptoms? Examples a. IgE mediated Allergens (e.g., pollen, food, insect venom) bind to IgE antibodies on the surface of mast cells or basophils. Symptoms include anaphylaxis, hives, and asthma. Allergic rhinitis, asthma, food allergies, anaphylaxis. b. tissue-specific Antibodies target specific cells or tissues Varies depending on the affected tissue: Blood: Anemia, jaundice, fatigue (e.g., in hemolytic anemia). Heart: Myocarditis, arrhythmias (e.g., in rheumatic fever). Hemolytic anemia, Graves' disease. c. Immune complex-mediated Immune complexes deposit in tissues Fever, joint pain, rash. Specific organ damage: Kidney dysfunction (glomerulonephritis), pulmonary symptoms. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, serum sickness d. Cell-mediated T cells attack tissues. Localized swelling, redness, and itching (contact dermatitis). Systemic symptoms: Organ dysfunction in diseases like Type 1 diabetes. Contact dermatitis (poison ivy), tuberculin skin test reactions, Type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. What are the types of immu...