midterms

• Immunology


  The study of a host's reactions when foreign substances are introduced into the body, and resistance to disease, specifically infectious disease
• Serology


  Diagnostic examination of blood serum and other body fluids with regards to the response of the immune system to pathogens
• Role of the immune system

  • Defense against infection
  • Recognition and response towards foreign antigen
  • Defense against tumor development
• Immunity


  Condition of being resistant to infection
• Cross immunity


  The phenomenon in which exposure to one infectious agent produces protection against another agent
• Antigen


  Substance that stimulates antibody formation and has the ability to bind to an antibody
• Immunogen


  Any substance that is capable of inducing an immune response
• Hapten


  A low-molecular-weight, nonantigenic substance that, when combined with an antigen, changes the antigenic specificity of that antigen
• Antibody


  Glycoprotein substance (immunoglobulin) that is produced by B lymphocytes in response to an antigen
• Monoclonal antibodies


  Derived from a single B-cell clone and are produced as a single class of immunoglobulin with specificity unique to the antigenic stimulus
• Polyclonal antibodies


  Produced as different classes of immunoglobulins by many B-cell clones in response to an antigen
• Heteroantibodies or (Xenoantibodies)


  Antibodies produced in response to antigens from another species
• Alloantibodies


  Formed in response to antigens from individuals of the same species
• Autoantibodies


  Produced by the body's immune system against "self" antigens
• Epitope


  Part of an antigen that reacts specifically with an antibody or T-cell receptor
• Agglutination


  The clumping of particulate antigens by antibodies specific for the antigens
• Affinity


  The tendency that an epitope has for combining with the antigen-binding site on an antibody molecule
• Avidity


  Strength of the bond between the antigen and the antibody
• Sensitivity


  Smallest amount of antigen or antibody that can be detected
• Specificity


  Ability of an antibody to bind to an antigen with complementary determinants and not to an antigen with dissimilar determinants
• Immunoglobulins


  • IgA
  • IgD
  • IgE
  • IgG
  • IgM
• IgA


  The predominant immunoglobulin in secretions such as tears, saliva, sweat, breast milk, and respiratory tract, genital, and intestinal secretions
• IgD


  Exists as a monomer, and its function is unknown
• IgE


  Binds to crystallizable fragment (Fc) receptors on mast cells and basophils and is elevated during parasitic infections and Type I allergic reactions (e.g.: Asthma, Hayfever)
• IgG


  The predominant immunoglobulin in adults, and the only immunoglobulin that crosses the placental barrier, thus transferring immunity from mother to infant
• IgM


  The largest of the immunoglobulins, existing as a pentamer, and the first immunoglobulin to be produced after exposure to an antigen
• Complement


  Group of proteins synthesized in mononuclear phagocytes, hepatocytes, fibroblasts, and some endothelial cells
• Anaphylatoxins


  A small peptide formed during complement activation that causes increased vascular permeability, contraction of smooth muscle, and release of histamine from basophils and mast cells
• Anaphylaxis


  A life-threatening response to an allergen characterized by the systemic release of histamine
• The science of immunology arose from the knowledge from those who survived one of the common infectious diseases of the past rarely contracted the disease again
• Thucydides recorded that individual who had previously contracted the disease recovered and he recognized their "immune" status

  430 BC
• China practiced immunization by inhaling dried powders derived from the crusts of smallpox lesions

  1000 AD
• England used powdered smallpox "crusts" inserted with a pin into the skin

  15th century
• Louis Pasteur is the Father of immunology
• The immune system is responsible for the surveillance and destruction of substances that are foreign to the body, attacking microorganisms that exist outside the host's cell or used to attack microorganisms that infect cells, and defending the body against the development of tumors
• Components of the immune system

  • Innate (inborn)
  • Adaptive (acquired)
• Innate immunity

  Inborn, already have when born, e.g. skin, tear, stomach acid, sweat
• Adaptive immunity


  Acquired as you grow older, like natural (naturally acquire, no human intervention) and artificial (intentional or with human intervention)
• Types of immunity

  • Passive (ready made)
  • Active (body needs to work)

  
• Natural active immunity

  Immunity for chicken pox