Lymphatic System & Immunity

• lymphatic circulatory system


  network of glands and vessels that carry lymph throughout the body; helps maintain the balance of fluids in the body
• lymph


  interstitial fluid carries throughout the body in the lymphatic circulatory system; either colorless or pale yellow with a composition much like plasma of blood
• cell-mediated immunity


  non-specific component of immune system that involves the activation of WBC (macrophages, neutrophils & monocytes) rather than the production of antibodies
• phagocytes


  the process where the cell ingests another cell, bacterium, or particle of organic matter
• macrophages


  phagocytic WBC that developed from monocyte; acts as a scavenger, ingesting dead cells and foreign materials, and killing microorganisms; also stimulates other cells in the immune system
• immunity


  the ability of the body to protect itself from foreign, disease-causing agents through a specific defense mechanism that uses antibody proteins to recognize, neutralize, and destroy foreign substances
• antibody mediated immunity


  component of the immune system that involves the activation of lymphocytes and the secretion of antibodies specific to an antigen
• antibodies


  proteins that recognize foreign substances in the body and neutralize or destroy them
• lymphocytes


  type of WBC involved in both cell-mediated and antibody mediated immunity; includes B & T cells
• B-cells


  also known as B lymphocyte that is activated by a specific antigen to produce memory B cells and plasma cells
• T-cells


  lymphocytes primarily responsible for cell-mediated immunity; activates certain immune cells, destruction of invading pathogen, suppression of cellular immunity and promotion of immune response upon reinfection
• antigens


  molecule found in the surface of the cells and pathogens that acts as a name tag for body’s immune system for easy identification
• helper T cells

  Lymphocyte that, upon recognizing an antigen, gives off chemical signals that stimulate certain immune cells to perform their respective functions
• Killer T cells


  Cytotoxic lymphocytes that binds with infected cells and destroys them by puncturing a hole in their membrane; may be activated indirectly by chemical signals from a helper T cell or directly by the presence of the invading pathogen and associated antigens
• suppressor T cells


  lymphocytes that slows and suppresses the cell-mediated immune response to an antigen to ensure that healthy tissues are not destroyed
• memory T cells


  quickly promote an immune response if the same antigen is re-encountered in a subsequent infection
• ABO system


  classification system for human blood antigens in which the presence or absence of type A or B antigens on RBC determines blood type as A, B, AB, or O
• Rhgroup of antigens found in most RBC; with Rh factor = Rh +

  Without Rh factor = Rh -
• Rh factor

  group of antigens found in most RBC; with Rh factor = Rh +

  Without Rh factor = Rh -