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Lymphatic System and Immunity - Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (20)

  • Primary locations of lymphocyte production and distribution
    Lymphocytes are produced and distributed in lymphoid tissues (tonsils), lymphoid organs (spleen, thymus), and red bone marrow.
  • Pathway of lymphocyte circulation
    Lymphocytes move from blood to interstitial fluid (lymph) through capillaries and return to venous blood via lymphatic vessels.
  • Function of lymph nodes
    Lymph nodes monitor peripheral infections and respond before infections reach vital organs of the trunk.
  • Difference between innate and adaptive immunity
    Innate immunity is nonspecific and present at birth; adaptive immunity develops after exposure to specific antigens.
  • Types of adaptive immunity
    Active immunity develops after antigen exposure; passive immunity is produced by transfer of antibodies from another source.
  • Physical barriers in innate immunity
    Physical barriers such as skin and mucous membranes prevent hazardous organisms and materials from entering the body.
  • Role of phagocytes in innate immunity
    Phagocytes engulf pathogens and cell debris to help defend the body against infection.
  • Function of natural killer (NK) cells
    NK cells destroy abnormal cells by releasing perforins and granzymes, inducing apoptosis.
  • Purpose of interferons
    Interferons are chemical messengers released by activated lymphocytes, macrophages, or virus-infected cells to coordinate antiviral defenses.
  • Complement system overview
    The complement system is a group of plasma proteins produced mainly by the liver that assist antibodies in destroying pathogens.
  • Effects of complement activation
    Complement activation leads to cell lysis, enhanced inflammation, neutralization of viruses, enhanced phagocytosis, and clearance of immune complexes.
  • Inflammation response steps
    Inflammation involves increased blood flow, phagocyte activation, increased capillary permeability, complement activation, clotting, temperature rise, and activation of adaptive defenses.
  • Fever role in immunity
    Fever elevates body temperature above 37.2°C to accelerate tissue metabolism and enhance body defenses.
  • T cell maturation process
    T cells mature in the thymus, undergoing gene rearrangements to create diverse clones; the thymus screens and destroys non-functional clones.
  • Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) role
    T cells interact only with antigen fragments bound to MHC molecules, which present antigens on cell surfaces.
  • Types of T cells in adaptive immunity
    Helper T (TH) cells (CD4) assist other immune cells; cytotoxic T (TC) cells (CD8) kill infected or abnormal cells.
  • B cell function in antibody-mediated immunity
    B cells have receptors for specific antigens and secrete antibodies that bind to the same antigen.
  • Clonal selection in B cells
    A group of B cells binding a specific antigen forms a clone; upon activation, they proliferate and differentiate into plasma cells producing antibodies.
  • Antibody structure basics
    Antibodies are proteins with variable regions that bind antigens and constant regions that mediate immune responses.
  • Active vs passive antibody-mediated immunity
    Active immunity results from antigen exposure; passive immunity is gained by receiving antibodies from another source.