MIMG 185A Midterm Study Guide: Key
Concepts in Immunology and Pathogens
185A Midterm Study Guide
Lecture 1
1. pathogen: disease causing particle that infects the body
2. bacteria: single celled prokaryotic pathogen
3. viruses: thread-like particles that take over endogenous cell machinery
4. fungi: mushrooms, yeast, etc. that can grow as single cells or as filaments
5. protozoa: another single celled prokaryote that is not bacterial
6. vaccination: injection of a weakened organism that produces immunity in the body
7. immunization: any process by which a person becomes protected from a disease
Lecture 2
1. functions of blood: carry oxygen and nutrients to tissues, carry waste products from tissues to other organs,
transport white blood cells to infection sites
2. functions of lymph: return interstitial fluid to the heart, help with hormone and lipid diffusion into the blood, aid
immune surveillance of all tissues
3. lymph node: structures that immune cells use for information exchange and swell during inflammatory response
4. plasma: 55% of blood volume, transporting nutrients, hormones, and proteins
5. red blood cells: 40-45% of blood volume that carries oxygen and removes CO2
a. erythrocytes with large surface area and removed nucleus to maximize oxygen transportation and
contains haemoglobin which carries oxygen and CO2
b. heme has a higher oxygen affinity in alkaline conditions
c.
6. white blood cells: critical cells in immune response and are <1% of blood volume
7. platelets: form blood clots to prevent bleeding
8. sickle cell anemia: an inherited RBC disorder that forms atypical hemoglobin and causes RBCs to be sickle shaped,
causing aggregation in small blood vessels and blocks flow of blood; also leads to faster RBC breakdown and
anemia
, 9. anemia: condition where the body doesn’t have enough RBCs and can’t deliver enough O2 to tissues
10. blood types: know that the antibodies in a blood type are opposite the antigens presented on your cells. If you
have antibodies for a specific antigen, you will reject blood with those antigens (this is why O is universal donor,
AB is universal acceptor)
a. AB - A+B antigens, no antibodies
b. A - A antigens, B antibodies
c. B - B antigens, A antibodies
d. O - no antigens, A+B antibodies
Concepts in Immunology and Pathogens
185A Midterm Study Guide
Lecture 1
1. pathogen: disease causing particle that infects the body
2. bacteria: single celled prokaryotic pathogen
3. viruses: thread-like particles that take over endogenous cell machinery
4. fungi: mushrooms, yeast, etc. that can grow as single cells or as filaments
5. protozoa: another single celled prokaryote that is not bacterial
6. vaccination: injection of a weakened organism that produces immunity in the body
7. immunization: any process by which a person becomes protected from a disease
Lecture 2
1. functions of blood: carry oxygen and nutrients to tissues, carry waste products from tissues to other organs,
transport white blood cells to infection sites
2. functions of lymph: return interstitial fluid to the heart, help with hormone and lipid diffusion into the blood, aid
immune surveillance of all tissues
3. lymph node: structures that immune cells use for information exchange and swell during inflammatory response
4. plasma: 55% of blood volume, transporting nutrients, hormones, and proteins
5. red blood cells: 40-45% of blood volume that carries oxygen and removes CO2
a. erythrocytes with large surface area and removed nucleus to maximize oxygen transportation and
contains haemoglobin which carries oxygen and CO2
b. heme has a higher oxygen affinity in alkaline conditions
c.
6. white blood cells: critical cells in immune response and are <1% of blood volume
7. platelets: form blood clots to prevent bleeding
8. sickle cell anemia: an inherited RBC disorder that forms atypical hemoglobin and causes RBCs to be sickle shaped,
causing aggregation in small blood vessels and blocks flow of blood; also leads to faster RBC breakdown and
anemia
, 9. anemia: condition where the body doesn’t have enough RBCs and can’t deliver enough O2 to tissues
10. blood types: know that the antibodies in a blood type are opposite the antigens presented on your cells. If you
have antibodies for a specific antigen, you will reject blood with those antigens (this is why O is universal donor,
AB is universal acceptor)
a. AB - A+B antigens, no antibodies
b. A - A antigens, B antibodies
c. B - B antigens, A antibodies
d. O - no antigens, A+B antibodies
