A summary of the different sections of the immunology topic such as phagocytosis and direct response. It touches on the different types of immunity and contains details of each step in each process. Elisa test is also included with a step-by-step process described.
Immunology
Infectious Diseases
Diseases which are caused by pathogens - microorganisms which have the potential
to cause a disease. (Bacteria/virus/fungus etc)
Pathogens causes disease by either damaging body cells or releasing toxin which
damage body cells. On the their cell surface, they have antigens which are
molecules, usually proteins, which cause an immune response resulting in the
production of specific antibody.
Immune Response
There are two types of immune response: non-specific and specific. Non-specific
immune response is immediate and same for all pathogens whereas specific
response is slower and specific to each pathogen.
Non-Specific Responses Specific Responses
Physical Barriers Cell-mediated
Phagocytosis Humoral
Physical Barriers
Skin:
Has a thin continuous keratinised layer.
Microorganism can be washed off
Flaking prevents build up of bacteria
Blood clotting occurs when skin is broken to prevent entry of pathogens
Body Cavities:
Lined with mucus membrane which contains lysozymes which kill bacteria by
damaging cell wall
Trachea:
Immunology 1
, Contains goblet cells which secrete mucus
Pathogens inhaled become trapped in mucus and swept into stomach by ciliated
epithelial
Stomach:
Contains gastric juices/stomach acid which denatures proteins in pathogen and
kills pathogens.
Harmless bacteria (skin and intestines):
Compete with pathogens and reduce their ability to grow
Phagocytosis
Phagocytes are a type of white blood cell which destroys pathogens by the process
of phagocytosis which then leads to the presentation of antigens on the surface of
their plasma membrane.
Process:
1. Phagocyte recognises foreign pathogen’s antigens via receptors.
2. Phagocyte engulfs pathogen by moving cytoplasm around pathogen.
3. Pathogen contained within a phagocyte vesicle in phagocyte cytoplasm called a
phagosome.
4. Lysosome containing lysozymes fuses with phagosome, releasing the
lysozymes.
5. Lysozymes hydrolyse and digest pathogen.
6. Phagocyte presents pathogen’s antigens on it’s cell surface membrane.
7. Waste released by exocytosis.
Cell-mediated response
T-lymphocytes are white blood cells which contain receptors on their surface which
are complementary to specific antigens.
Process:
Immunology 2
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