A6 Diagnostic techniques

• What are the two main components of the immune system?

  Innate immunity and adaptive immunity

  
• What is the role of the innate immune system?

  Provides immediate non-specific defense against pathogens

  
• How does innate immunity differ from adaptive immunity?

  Innate immunity provides a rapid, non-specific response, while adaptive immunity is slower, specific, and has memory

  
• List the main cells of the innate immune system

  • Monocyte
  • Neutrophil
  • Macrophage
  • Natural Killer Cell
  • Dendritic Cell
  • Mast Cell
  • Eosinophil
  • Basophil

  
• What are the main cell types of the adaptive immune system?

  • B Cells
  • T Cells
  • Natural Killer T Cells

  
• Which cell type in the adaptive immune system is responsible for producing antibodies?

  B Cells

  
• What are the two main types of T cells in the adaptive immune system?

  Helper T Cells and Cytotoxic T Cells

  
• What do TH1 lymphocytes primarily mediate?

  Inflammation and immunity to intracellular microbes

  
• What role do TH2 lymphocytes play in the immune response?

  They help B lymphocytes produce antibodies

  
• What is the primary function of cytotoxic T cells?

  Killing virus-infected cells and tumor cells

  
• What are the key functions of B cells and their derivatives?

  • B cells differentiate into plasma cells which produce large volumes of antibodies.
  • B cells can also differentiate into long-lived memory cells that respond quickly to a particular antigen upon reintroduction.

  
• How do natural killer (NK) cells differ from cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs)?

  They lack antigen receptors

  
• What is the primary function of neutrophils?

  Ingest invaders, release toxins, and recruit other immune cells

  
• What are the effects of eosinophils on parasites and tissue?

  They release toxins to kill parasites and bacteria, but also cause tissue damage

  
• What are the primary targets of basophils?

  Parasites

  
• What triggers mast cell degranulation?

  Tissue injury

  
• What are the key differences between monocytes and their mature forms?

  • Monocytes migrate to sites of inflammation where they mature.
  • They mature into tissue macrophages, which ingest debris and invaders.
  • They also mature into dendritic cells, which are professional antigen-presenting cells that activate T lymphocytes.

  
• What are the main functions of neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, and mast cells?

  • Neutrophils: Ingest invaders, release toxins, and recruit other immune cells.
  • Eosinophils: Release toxins to kill parasites and bacteria, but also cause tissue damage.
  • Basophils: Defense against parasites, non-phagocytic, and have Fc receptors for IgE.
  • Mast cells: Degranulate in response to injury, releasing histamine and initiating inflammation.

  
• What is the role of macrophages in the immune response?

  Ingest debris and invaders, and stimulate other immune cells

  
• What are innate diagnostic techniques?

  Non-specific methods to detect infections
• How do innate diagnostic techniques function?

  They identify general signs of infection quickly
• What is an example of an innate diagnostic technique?

  Blood tests measuring white blood cell counts
• What is the difference between innate and adaptive diagnostic techniques?


  Innate techniques are non-specific; adaptive are specific
• What are the components of innate immunity?

  Physical barriers, chemical factors, phagocytes
• What is the speed of innate immunity compared to adaptive immunity?

  Innate immunity is immediate; adaptive is delayed
• How does the memory of innate immunity differ from adaptive immunity?


  Innate immunity has no memory; adaptive does
• What is the role of phagocytes in innate immunity?

  Engulf and destroy pathogens
• What are common innate diagnostic methods?

  Blood tests, microscopic examination, imaging techniques
• Which innate diagnostic method measures inflammation markers?

  Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• What does leukocytosis indicate in a CBC?

  Presence of infection
• What does C-reactive protein (CRP) indicate?

  Increased inflammation
• What is the purpose of microscopic examination in diagnostics?

  To visualize pathogens in tissues or fluids
• What innate diagnostic method would you use for a suspected urinary tract infection?

  Urinalysis
• How do clinical symptoms contribute to innate diagnostics?

  They indicate inflammation or infection presence
• How do innate diagnostics compare to adaptive diagnostics in terms of speed?

  Innate diagnostics are immediate; adaptive are delayed
• What is the specificity of innate diagnostics compared to adaptive diagnostics?

  Innate diagnostics are non-specific; adaptive are specific
• In a clinical scenario, which diagnostic technique would be more appropriate for a suspected viral infection?

  Antibody tests
• How do innate diagnostic techniques provide early alerts of infection?

  By identifying general signs quickly
• What is the role of innate diagnostics in infection detection?

  Identifying general signs of inflammation or infection
• What is the sensitivity of innate diagnostics compared to adaptive diagnostics?


  Innate diagnostics have broad sensitivity; adaptive are high