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Autoimmune Diseases quiz

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  • What is an autoimmune disease?
    An autoimmune disease is a condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own self tissues instead of pathogens.
  • What are the two main types of immunity involved in autoimmune diseases?
    Autoimmune diseases can involve defects in humoral immunity (autoantibodies) or cell-mediated immunity (autoreactive T cells).
  • What percentage of the human population is affected by autoimmune diseases?
    Autoimmune diseases affect approximately 5-10% of the human population.
  • What is the difference between organ-specific and systemic autoimmune diseases?
    Organ-specific autoimmune diseases affect one particular region of the body, while systemic autoimmune diseases impact multiple organs throughout the body.
  • How do plasma cells contribute to autoimmune diseases?
    Plasma cells can produce autoantibodies that bind to autoantigens on self tissues, leading to their attack.
  • What role do autoreactive cytotoxic T cells play in autoimmune diseases?
    Autoreactive cytotoxic T cells recognize self antigens presented on MHC class I molecules and destroy self cells.
  • What is Graves' disease and how does it affect the body?
    Graves' disease is an organ-specific autoimmune disorder where autoantibodies bind hormone receptors on thyroid cells, overstimulating thyroid hormone production.
  • How does myasthenia gravis impact muscle function?
    Myasthenia gravis occurs when autoantibodies block receptors at neuromuscular junctions, preventing muscle contractions and reducing muscular activity.
  • What is the main target in multiple sclerosis (MS)?
    In MS, the immune system attacks myelin, the protective insulating layer on nerve axons, disrupting nervous system communication.
  • What happens in type 1 diabetes mellitus due to autoimmunity?
    Type 1 diabetes mellitus is caused by T cell-mediated destruction of insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas, reducing insulin production and glucose regulation.
  • What is the mechanism behind systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
    SLE involves autoantibodies binding to various autoantigens, including nuclear components like DNA, forming immune complexes that damage multiple organs.
  • How does rheumatoid arthritis differ from osteoarthritis?
    Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by immune complexes deposited in joints, leading to inflammation and pain, while osteoarthritis results from mechanical wear and tear.
  • What are three major contributing factors to autoimmune diseases?
    The three major contributing factors are genetics, environmental triggers (such as infections), and immune regulation defects.
  • How can infections contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases?
    Some pathogens mimic host antigens, and immune responses against them may also attack similar self antigens, leading to autoimmunity.
  • What is notable about the prevalence of autoimmune diseases in women?
    About 80% of autoimmune disease cases occur in women, but the exact reasons for this are still not fully understood.