Q1. Differentiate between the innate and adaptive immune systems.

Background

Topic: Immune System Overview

This question tests your understanding of the two main branches of the immune system: innate (nonspecific) and adaptive (specific) immunity.

Key Terms:

• Innate immunity: The body's first, nonspecific defense against pathogens.

• Adaptive immunity: The body's specific, learned response to pathogens.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Start by defining innate immunity. Consider its speed, specificity, and the types of cells involved.

2. Next, define adaptive immunity. Think about how it differs in terms of response time, specificity, and memory.

3. Compare the two systems, focusing on their main characteristics and functions.

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Q2. Briefly describe the 3 immune system lines of defense.

Background

Topic: Immune System Structure

This question tests your knowledge of the sequential barriers and responses the body uses to protect against infection.

Key Terms:

• 1st line: Physical and chemical barriers

• 2nd line: Innate immune responses

• 3rd line: Adaptive immune responses

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Identify what constitutes the first line of defense (think about skin, mucous membranes, and secretions).

2. Describe the second line of defense, focusing on internal mechanisms like phagocytes and inflammation.

3. Explain the third line of defense, which involves specific immune cells and antibodies.

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Q3. Describe how each of these 1st line of defense tissues and biochemicals protect us from infection.

Background

Topic: Physical and Chemical Barriers

This question tests your understanding of how specific tissues and substances prevent pathogen entry.

Key Terms:

• Keratin: Protein in skin

• Sweat: Secretion with antimicrobial properties

• Sebum: Oily secretion

• Normal flora: Beneficial microbes

• Respiratory modifications: Cilia, mucus

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. For each item, describe its location and function in preventing infection.

2. Explain how keratin forms a barrier.

3. Discuss how sweat and sebum create an inhospitable environment for pathogens.

4. Describe the role of normal flora in outcompeting harmful microbes.

5. Explain how respiratory modifications trap and remove pathogens.

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Q4. What has to happen for the second line of defense to be activated and what does the 2nd line of defense provide?

Background

Topic: Activation of Innate Immunity

This question tests your understanding of how the body responds when pathogens breach initial barriers.

Key Terms:

• Activation: Breach of physical/chemical barriers

• 2nd line: Phagocytes, inflammation, fever

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Identify what triggers the second line of defense (e.g., injury, pathogen entry).

2. Describe the main components of the second line (cells and processes).

3. Explain the benefits provided by these responses (containment, destruction of pathogens).

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Q5. List four benefits that are provided by the inflammatory response.

Background

Topic: Inflammation

This question tests your knowledge of the physiological advantages of inflammation during infection or injury.

Key Terms:

• Inflammation: Localized response to injury/infection

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall the main functions of inflammation (e.g., increased blood flow, recruitment of immune cells).

2. List at least four distinct benefits, such as containment of infection, removal of debris, etc.

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Q6. The inflammatory response takes place in 2 phases. Chemicals are released during the first phase. For each of the first phase activities listed below, describe their role in fighting infection: Vasodilation, Exudate, Clotting proteins, Fever.

Background

Topic: Inflammatory Response Phases

This question tests your understanding of the chemical mediators and their effects during inflammation.

Key Terms:

• Vasodilation: Widening of blood vessels

• Exudate: Fluid accumulation

• Clotting proteins: Blood clot formation

• Fever: Elevated body temperature

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. For each activity, describe its effect on infection control (e.g., vasodilation increases blood flow).

2. Explain how exudate helps deliver immune cells and remove pathogens.

3. Discuss the role of clotting proteins in containing infection.

4. Describe how fever inhibits pathogen growth.

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Q7. The inflammatory response takes place in 2 phases. Immune cells attack pathogens and infected cells during the second phase. Explain how each of the cells listed below fight infection: Neutrophil, Macrophage, Natural killer (NK) cell.

Background

Topic: Cellular Response in Inflammation

This question tests your knowledge of the roles of specific immune cells during infection.

Key Terms:

• Neutrophil: Phagocytic cell

• Macrophage: Phagocytic cell, antigen presentation

• NK cell: Cytotoxic lymphocyte

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Describe how neutrophils respond to infection (phagocytosis).

2. Explain the dual role of macrophages (phagocytosis and signaling).

3. Discuss how NK cells target infected or abnormal cells.

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Q8. Describe how phagocytosis works.

Background

Topic: Phagocytosis Mechanism

This question tests your understanding of how immune cells ingest and destroy pathogens.

Key Terms:

• Phagocytosis: Cellular ingestion of particles

• Phagocyte: Cell that performs phagocytosis

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Outline the steps: recognition, engulfment, digestion.

2. Describe how the phagocyte binds to the pathogen.

3. Explain the formation of a phagosome and fusion with lysosomes.

4. Discuss how enzymes break down the pathogen.

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Q9. List the characteristics of adaptive immunity.

Background

Topic: Adaptive Immunity Features

This question tests your knowledge of what makes adaptive immunity unique compared to innate immunity.

Key Terms:

• Specificity, memory, diversity, self/non-self recognition

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall the main features of adaptive immunity.

2. List characteristics such as specificity, memory, and diversity.

3. Explain why these features are important for long-term protection.

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Q10. Adaptive immunity has two components - humoral and cellular immunity. Describe the characteristics of each one.

Background

Topic: Adaptive Immunity Subtypes

This question tests your understanding of the two main branches of adaptive immunity.

Key Terms:

• Humoral immunity: B cells, antibodies

• Cellular immunity: T cells

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Define humoral immunity and its main components.

2. Define cellular immunity and its main components.

3. Compare their roles in fighting infection.

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Q11. Explain how each component of adaptive immunity listed below work to keep us healthy: Helper T cells, Cytotoxic T cells, Apoptosis, B plasma cells, B memory cells, IgG antibody, IgM antibody, IgA antibody, IgE antibody.

Background

Topic: Adaptive Immunity Components

This question tests your knowledge of the specific roles of immune cells and antibodies.

Key Terms:

• Helper T cells: Coordinate immune response

• Cytotoxic T cells: Kill infected cells

• Apoptosis: Programmed cell death

• B plasma cells: Produce antibodies

• B memory cells: Provide long-term immunity

• IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE: Antibody types

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. For each component, describe its main function in the immune response.

2. Explain how helper T cells activate other immune cells.

3. Discuss how cytotoxic T cells and apoptosis eliminate infected cells.

4. Describe the roles of B plasma and memory cells.

5. Summarize the functions of each antibody type.

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Q12. Describe the human microbiome.

Background

Topic: Microbiome Overview

This question tests your understanding of the collection of microorganisms living in and on the human body.

Key Terms:

• Microbiome: Community of microbes

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Define the human microbiome.

2. Describe its diversity and locations in the body.

3. Explain its importance for health.

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Q13. Compare and contrast the number of different microbial species that live in different locations of the human body.

Background

Topic: Microbiome Diversity

This question tests your knowledge of how microbial populations vary by body site.

Key Terms:

• Microbial diversity: Variety of species

• Body sites: Gut, skin, mouth, etc.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Identify major body sites with distinct microbiomes.

2. Compare the number and types of species in each location.

3. Discuss factors influencing diversity (e.g., environment, pH).

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Q14. The gut microbiome population can be divided into large groups (Phyla). These phyla are found on the slide in the Colon box. List the phyla and what % of the population they make up.

Background

Topic: Gut Microbiome Composition

This question tests your knowledge of the major bacterial groups in the colon.

Key Terms:

• Phyla: Major bacterial groups

• Population percentage: Relative abundance

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Identify the main phyla present in the colon (e.g., Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes).

2. Estimate their relative percentages based on typical data.

3. List other minor phyla if relevant.

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Q15. List 4 roles gut microbiomes have in digestion.

Background

Topic: Microbiome Functions

This question tests your knowledge of how gut microbes aid digestion.

Key Terms:

• Digestion: Breakdown of food

• Microbiome: Microbial community

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall the main functions of gut microbes in digestion.

2. List at least four distinct roles (e.g., fiber breakdown, vitamin production).

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Q16. An important metabolite produced by the microbiome is SCFAs (short chain fatty acids). Describe what these are and how they support human health.

Background

Topic: Microbial Metabolites

This question tests your knowledge of SCFAs and their health benefits.

Key Terms:

• SCFAs: Short chain fatty acids

• Metabolite: Product of metabolism

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Define SCFAs and how they are produced.

2. List their main types (e.g., acetate, propionate, butyrate).

3. Describe their roles in gut health and systemic effects.

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Q17. Describe microbiome vitamin production and the benefits these vitamins provide.

Background

Topic: Microbiome and Vitamins

This question tests your knowledge of how gut microbes synthesize vitamins and their importance.

Key Terms:

• Vitamin production: Synthesis by microbes

• Benefits: Health effects

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Identify which vitamins are produced by gut microbes (e.g., B vitamins, vitamin K).

2. Describe how these vitamins are absorbed and used by the body.

3. Explain their health benefits (e.g., blood clotting, energy metabolism).

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Q18. Microbial metabolites have been shown to have a direct impact on human health. Conduct a Gemini AI or Google AI overview search and provide a description of one of the following: “microbiome and metabolic disorders”, or “microbiome and psychiatric disorders”.

Background

Topic: Microbiome and Disease

This question tests your ability to research and summarize the impact of the microbiome on health.

Key Terms:

• Metabolic disorders: Diabetes, obesity

• Psychiatric disorders: Depression, anxiety

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Choose one topic to research.

2. Summarize the main findings from your search.

3. Include a citation as instructed.

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Q19. The microbiome and human host interact in the gut-brain axis. Conduct a Gemini AI or Google AI overview search and provide a description of one of the topics listed on the slide.

Background

Topic: Gut-Brain Axis

This question tests your ability to research and summarize the microbiome's effect on brain function.

Key Terms:

• Gut-brain axis: Communication between gut and brain

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Choose a gut-brain axis topic to research.

2. Summarize the main findings from your search.

3. Include a citation as instructed.

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Q20. The microbiome impacts the human immune system. Conduct a Gemini AI or Google AI overview search and provide a description of one of the topics listed on the slide.

Background

Topic: Microbiome and Immunity

This question tests your ability to research and summarize the microbiome's effect on immune function.

Key Terms:

• Immune modulation: Microbiome influences immune responses

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Choose a topic related to microbiome and immunity to research.

2. Summarize the main findings from your search.

3. Include a citation as instructed.

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Q21. List 3 connections between the microbiome and healthy aging.

Background

Topic: Microbiome and Aging

This question tests your knowledge of how the microbiome influences aging and longevity.

Key Terms:

• Healthy aging: Maintenance of health with age

• Microbiome: Microbial community

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall the main ways the microbiome supports healthy aging.

2. List at least three connections (e.g., inflammation control, nutrient absorption).

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Q22. List benefits provided by microbiomes located in each of these regions: Skin, Oral, Respiratory.

Background

Topic: Regional Microbiome Benefits

This question tests your knowledge of the specific advantages of microbiomes in different body regions.

Key Terms:

• Skin microbiome: Protection

• Oral microbiome: Oral health

• Respiratory microbiome: Defense

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. For each region, list the main benefits provided by the local microbiome.

2. Explain how these benefits contribute to overall health.

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Q23. How does lifestyle impact microbiomes?

Background

Topic: Microbiome and Lifestyle

This question tests your knowledge of how factors like diet, exercise, and environment affect microbial communities.

Key Terms:

• Lifestyle: Diet, exercise, environment

• Microbiome: Microbial community

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Identify lifestyle factors that influence the microbiome.

2. Explain how each factor can alter microbial diversity and function.

3. Discuss the consequences for health.

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