NSG 530 Test 2 Study Guide
Immune system
The immune system →
- is responsible for protecting the body against and eliminating an array of
microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, parasites,
prions), environmental toxins (e.g., chemicals, pollution, metals, pesticides,
drugs), and other foreign particles (e.g., splinters, ingested or inhaled
foreign bodies).
- removes damaged or dead cells as well as destroys cancer cells
- provides this protection through two major actions—defending and
attacking.
1. Self-regulating and Self-limiting Nature
- Self regulating → immune system can control its own responses
- Self limiting → responses are typically controlled an do no go on indefinitely
2. Self and non-self recognition
- Self vs non-self → the immune system can distinguish between the body’s
own cells and foreign cells (non-self).
3. Antigens and its role in triggering an immune response
- Antigens → A foreign agent that triggers the production of antibodies by
the immune system.
- Substances that trigger an immune response. They are recognized as
foreign
-
4. The immune system functions through
- Innate Immunity - provides immediate protection and is
nonspecific, meaning it provides protection against all
invaders.
- Innate defenses → relies on physical and chemical barriers
that indiscriminately protect against all invaders.
, - (e.g., skin, mucous membranes, phagocytes, and the
inflammatory response),
- Adaptive or acquired immunity → can take 7 to 10 days to
provide protection and is specific to the antigen.
- Adaptive defenses → defenses recognize and attack antigens
that make it through the innate defenses.
- the body’s own individual immune system
- Two major approaches → Cellular and Humoral immunity
- Key players → T cells and B cells
- T cells and B cells mingle with antigens as they circulate
throughout the body’s fluids and peripheral lymphoid tissue
(e.g., tonsils, lymph nodes, spleen, and intestinal lymphoid
tissue).
- Cellular immunity → (T cells) destroy the antigen
- Humoral immunity → (B cells) produce antibodies
-
- Lymphatic system →
- Lymphatic tissue or Connective tissue → contain many
lymphocytes.
- It transports immune cells, antigen-presenting cells, fatty
acids, and fats
- filter body fluids.
- Primary lymphoid tissue → Thymus, bone marrow, and spleen
- Thymus - site of t-cell maturation
- Bone marrow - site of hematopoiesis (Blood cell production)
- Spleen - filters the blood of damaged or aged erythrocytes
- Leukocytes → are a diverse group of cells that trigger the
inflammatory process and combat infections.
- Leukocytosis → states characterized by increased WBC levels
and can indicate an active infectious process.
- Leukocytopenia → refers to decreased WBC levels and can
indicate an immune deficiency state.
- The blood → transports leukocytes to the site of an infection.
Immune system
The immune system →
- is responsible for protecting the body against and eliminating an array of
microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, parasites,
prions), environmental toxins (e.g., chemicals, pollution, metals, pesticides,
drugs), and other foreign particles (e.g., splinters, ingested or inhaled
foreign bodies).
- removes damaged or dead cells as well as destroys cancer cells
- provides this protection through two major actions—defending and
attacking.
1. Self-regulating and Self-limiting Nature
- Self regulating → immune system can control its own responses
- Self limiting → responses are typically controlled an do no go on indefinitely
2. Self and non-self recognition
- Self vs non-self → the immune system can distinguish between the body’s
own cells and foreign cells (non-self).
3. Antigens and its role in triggering an immune response
- Antigens → A foreign agent that triggers the production of antibodies by
the immune system.
- Substances that trigger an immune response. They are recognized as
foreign
-
4. The immune system functions through
- Innate Immunity - provides immediate protection and is
nonspecific, meaning it provides protection against all
invaders.
- Innate defenses → relies on physical and chemical barriers
that indiscriminately protect against all invaders.
, - (e.g., skin, mucous membranes, phagocytes, and the
inflammatory response),
- Adaptive or acquired immunity → can take 7 to 10 days to
provide protection and is specific to the antigen.
- Adaptive defenses → defenses recognize and attack antigens
that make it through the innate defenses.
- the body’s own individual immune system
- Two major approaches → Cellular and Humoral immunity
- Key players → T cells and B cells
- T cells and B cells mingle with antigens as they circulate
throughout the body’s fluids and peripheral lymphoid tissue
(e.g., tonsils, lymph nodes, spleen, and intestinal lymphoid
tissue).
- Cellular immunity → (T cells) destroy the antigen
- Humoral immunity → (B cells) produce antibodies
-
- Lymphatic system →
- Lymphatic tissue or Connective tissue → contain many
lymphocytes.
- It transports immune cells, antigen-presenting cells, fatty
acids, and fats
- filter body fluids.
- Primary lymphoid tissue → Thymus, bone marrow, and spleen
- Thymus - site of t-cell maturation
- Bone marrow - site of hematopoiesis (Blood cell production)
- Spleen - filters the blood of damaged or aged erythrocytes
- Leukocytes → are a diverse group of cells that trigger the
inflammatory process and combat infections.
- Leukocytosis → states characterized by increased WBC levels
and can indicate an active infectious process.
- Leukocytopenia → refers to decreased WBC levels and can
indicate an immune deficiency state.
- The blood → transports leukocytes to the site of an infection.
