| Term | Definition |
| Immunity | The process by which the body recognizes foreign substances and neutralizes them to prevent damage |
| Adaptive immune defense | Specific: the immune cells seek out and destroy targeted foreign invaders.
Memory: the immune cells produce substances that remember and more easily destroy return offenders. |
| Immunology | The study of the structure and function of the immune system, phenomena of immunity, induced sensitivity, and allergy |
| Adaptive Immunity | the response of the immune system |
| Antigen | A substance that induces a state of sensitivity or immune response |
| Innate Immune Response | A nonspecific response associated with inflammation (review chpt. 3) |
| Bone Marrow (Central Immune structure) | Production of lymphocytes; Maturation of B lymphocytes |
| Thymus (Central Immune structure) | Gland located in the mediastinum; Differentiation and maturation of lymphocytes |
| Lymph Nodes (Peripheral Immune Structure) | Rounded mass of lymphatic tissue; Spread out along lymphatic vessels; Contain many lymphocytes, which filter the lymphatic fluid |
| Spleen (Peripheral Immune Structure) | Organ that produces lymphocytes |
| Lymphoid mucosal tissue = tonsils, Peyer's patches, appendix (Peripheral Immune Structure) | Site of lymphocyte aggregation |
| T lymphocytes (Primary Cellular Components) | Matured in the thymus
Essential in adaptive cell-mediated immunity
Destruction of cellular antigens
Promote antibody production by B lymphocytes
Account for 60% of blood lymphocytes |
| B Lymphocyte | Matured in bone marrow
Essential in mediating adaptive humoral immunity
Production of antibodies/immunoglobins
Accounts for 10-20% of blood lymphcytes |
| Cytotoxic T lymphcytes | Direct destruction of antigen carrying cells |
| Helper T lymphocytes | Enhance humoral and cell-mediated responses of the immune system |
| Suppressor T Lymphcytes | Inhibit humoral and cell- mediated responses |
| T-Cell Receptor (TCR) | Promote a specific immune response by binding to antigens |
| B-Cell Receptor | Recptor bound to cell membranes of the B Cel; association with antigen activates plasma cells produce and secrete antibodies |
| Immunoglobulins | A group of structurally related proteins important in immune function; composed of a variable region promoting antigen specificity and a constant region |
| Natural Killer Cells | Large, granular lymphocytes; non specific cytotoxic cells
Circulate until they contact cells that are considered threatening (cancer cells or infected cells) then they attack |
| IgA | 15% of total Immunoglobulins.
Concentrated in bodily secretions such as breast milk, tears, and saliva.
Protection of mucous membrane lined structures. |
| IgG | 75% of immunoglobulin make up.
Most common circulating antibody.
Produced in primary and secondary immune responses.
Activates complement.
Antibody activity against toxins, viruses, and bacteria.
Passive Immunity in newborns via placental transfer. |
| IgM | 10% of total Immunoglobulin
First immunoglobulin to proliferate in immune response.
Bound to B lymphocytes.
Activates complement. |
| IgD | Bound to and activated B cells.
0.2% of total immunoglobulin. |
| IgE | Bound to Mast cells in skin and mucous membranes.
Stimulates mast cell release of histamine in allergic immune response, leading to inflammation. |
| Granulocytes | aka Polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes.
Produced by Myeloid Progenitor Cell |
