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Microbiology: Immunology Key Concepts

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Termini in questo insieme (15)

  • What is an antigen?
    An antigen is any molecule or molecular structure that can be recognized by the immune system and elicit an immune response.
  • Define epitope.
    An epitope is the specific part of an antigen recognized and bound by an antibody or a receptor on a lymphocyte.
  • What is an immunogen?
    An immunogen is an antigen that is capable of inducing a specific immune response.
  • What is HLA?
    HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) refers to the human major histocompatibility complex proteins involved in antigen presentation.
  • Define MHC.
    MHC (Major Histocompatibility Complex) molecules present antigen fragments to T cells to initiate immune responses.
  • What is immune specificity?
    Immune specificity is the ability of the immune system to recognize and respond to a particular antigen.
  • What is immune memory?
    Immune memory is the capacity of the immune system to respond more rapidly and effectively to pathogens it has encountered before.
  • Define immune tolerance.
    Immune tolerance is the immune system's ability to avoid attacking the body’s own cells and harmless substances.
  • Compare MHCI and MHCII expression patterns.
    MHCI is expressed on almost all nucleated cells; MHCII is mainly on antigen-presenting cells like dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells.
  • Describe antigen processing for intracellular antigens.
    Intracellular antigens are degraded by the proteasome, peptides transported into the ER, loaded onto MHCI molecules, and presented on the cell surface.
  • What happens during the primary immune response?
    The primary response involves initial antigen recognition, activation of naive lymphocytes, and production of effector cells and antibodies.
  • Describe the secondary immune response.
    The secondary response is faster and stronger due to activation of memory lymphocytes generated during the primary response.
  • How are T cytotoxic cells activated?
    T cytotoxic cells are activated when their T cell receptor recognizes antigen presented on MHCI along with co-stimulatory signals.
  • What is the role of T cytotoxic cells after activation?
    Activated T cytotoxic cells differentiate and kill infected or abnormal cells presenting the specific antigen.
  • Differentiate effector lymphocytes from memory lymphocytes.
    Effector lymphocytes actively eliminate pathogens; memory lymphocytes persist long-term to provide rapid response upon re-exposure.