What are the primary components of the immune system?
The primary components are white blood cells (leukocytes), lymphoid organs (such as lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus), and antibodies.
Define innate immunity.
Innate immunity is the body's first line of defense and provides a rapid, non-specific response to pathogens.
What is acquired immunity?
Acquired immunity, also known as adaptive immunity, is a specific immune response developed after exposure to a particular pathogen.
How do vaccines work within the immune system?
Vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce a response and memory against specific pathogens without causing disease.
What role do B cells play in immune response?
B cells produce antibodies that are specific to antigens, helping to neutralize pathogens or mark them for destruction.
Explain the function of T cells.
T cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity, recognizing and destroying infected or cancerous cells and assisting other immune cells.
Describe the role of macrophages in the immune response.
Macrophages are phagocytes that ingest and destroy pathogens and present antigens to T cells, aiding in the immune response.
What is the difference between a primary and secondary immune response?
The primary immune response occurs on first exposure to a pathogen, whereas a secondary response is quicker and stronger due to immunological memory.
What is an antigen?
An antigen is a foreign substance that induces an immune response, especially the production of antibodies.
How does the complement system assist the immune response?
The complement system enhances immune responses by marking pathogens for destruction and facilitating the inflammatory process.
What is the role of memory cells in immunity?
Memory cells remain in the body after an infection has cleared, providing a rapid immune response upon subsequent exposures to the antigen.
How do helper T cells support the immune response?
Helper T cells activate other immune cells, including B cells to produce antibodies and cytotoxic T cells to kill infected cells.
What signals the start of an inflammatory response?
An inflammatory response begins when tissues are injured by bacteria, trauma, toxins, heat, or any other cause, releasing chemicals that cause blood vessels to leak fluid into the tissues.
What is immunological tolerance?
Immunological tolerance is the immune system's ability to recognize self-produced antigens as non-threatening, preventing autoimmune diseases.
How do antibodies neutralize pathogens?
Antibodies bind to antigens on pathogens, neutralizing them directly or marking them for destruction by immune cells.