A-level Biology - 3.2.5 The Defensive Functions of Mammalian Blood
An antigen is a molecule, usually a protein found on the surface of pathogens, that is recognized as foreign by the immune system. It triggers an immune response, leading to the production of antibodies to help destroy the invading organism.
What is an antigen?
Molecules (usually proteins) that stimulates an immune response when detected by body
Key Terms
What is an antigen?
Molecules (usually proteins) that stimulates an immune response when detected by body
Describe how lymphocytes recognise self from non-self
Each lymphocyte recognises a different chemical shape
They collide with body’s own material (self)
Some lymphocytes have receptors that...
Name the 4 main stages of immune response
Phagocytosis
Phagocytes Activate T-cells
T-cells Activate B-cells, which divide into Plasma cells
Plasma cells make more Antibodi...
Where are phagocytes found?
In blood and tissues
Describe phagocytosis (5)
Phagocyte recognises (foreign) antigen
Phagocyte engulfs pathogen
Enclosed in vacuole/phagosome
(Vacuole) fuses with lysosome
...Why does phagocytes moves towards pathogens?
∵ they’re attracted to pathogen’s chemical products
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What is an antigen? | Molecules (usually proteins) that stimulates an immune response when detected by body |
Describe how lymphocytes recognise self from non-self | Each lymphocyte recognises a different chemical shape They collide with body’s own material (self) Some lymphocytes have receptors that fit body’s cells These either die or are suppressed Remaining fit only foreign material |
Name the 4 main stages of immune response | Phagocytosis Phagocytes Activate T-cells T-cells Activate B-cells, which divide into Plasma cells Plasma cells make more Antibodies to a Specific Antigen |
Where are phagocytes found? | In blood and tissues |
Describe phagocytosis (5) | Phagocyte recognises (foreign) antigen Phagocyte engulfs pathogen Enclosed in vacuole/phagosome (Vacuole) fuses with lysosome Lysosome contains enzymes (lysozymes) that hydrolyse pathogen |
Why does phagocytes moves towards pathogens? | ∵ they’re attracted to pathogen’s chemical products |
Phagocytes engulf pathogens by _____ | endocytosis |
Waste products removed by _____ | exocytosis |
How do lysozymes break down bacteria? | Hydrolyse the cell walls of bacteria |
What do phagocytes do at the end of phagocytosis? | Phagocyte presents pathogen’s antigens on its surface to activate other immune system cells |
What do T-cells only respond to? | Antigen-presenting cells |
Where do T-cells (aka T-lymphocyte) mature? | In thymus gland |
Describe what T-cells do | Respond to antigens on foreign and infected cells Specific receptors on helper T cells bind to specific antigen presented by phagocytes (antigen-presenting cell) This activates T-cell: Binding triggers rapid mitosis = T cells are cloned |
Name 4 things that the cloned helper T-cells do | Activate cytotoxic T cells Activate B-cells to divide and secrete their antibodies Develop into memory cells Release chemical signals that activate and stimulate phagocytes |
Describe how cytotoxic T-cells kill infected cells | Produce protein called perforin that makes holes in cell-surface membrane Holes means cell membrane becomes freely permeable Control of substances no longer controls and cell dies |
Why is the action of T-cells most effective against viruses? | ∵ they replicate inside cells, sacrificing these body cells prevents viruses from multiplying and infecting more cells |
What is the role of macrophages in stimulating B lymphocytes? | Antigen in membrane presented to lymphocytes Produce cytokinins |
What are B-cells (B-lymphocytes)? | White blood cell that’s covered with antibodies |
What are antibodies? | Proteins that bind antigens to form antigen-antibody complex Stimulate immune response |
Describe how T-cells activate B-cells, which divide into plasma cells | When antibody on surface of B-cells meets complementary shaped antigen = binds to it This, together with chemicals released from helper T-cells, activates B-cell = divides by mitosis Clonal selection: form clones/produce plasma cells Make antibodies Plasma cells produce memory cells |
What do plasma cells do? | Secrete loads of antibodies specific to antigen callled monoclonal antibodies |
Describe what antibodies do to destroy pathogens | Antibody has 2 binding sites = can bind 2 pathogens at same time Means pathogens & antibodies become clumped together = called agglutination Phagocytes bind to antibodies and phagocytose many pathogens at once Process leads to destruction of pathogens carrying this antigen in body |
All antibodies have same _____ region | All antibodies have same constant region |
What does the constant region allow antibodies to do? | To bind to receptors on B-cells |
What does the hinge region allow antibodies to do? | Allows flexibility so molecules can group more than one antigens |
Why are antibodies specific to one antigen? (3) | Variable region has specific primary structure Tertiary structure of binding site is complementary to bind with these antigens Forms complex between antigen and antibody |
What is the primary response? | When antigen enters body for 1st time & activates immune system |
Why is the primary response slow? | ∵ there aren't many B-cells that can make antibody needed to bind to pathogen |
Primary Immune Response | After being exposed to antigens, T- and B-cells produce ____ ___ memory cells |
Memory cells remain in body for ____ time | long |
What do memory B-cells do? | Record specific antibodies needed to bind the antigen |
What do memory T-cells do? | Remember specific antigen and will recognise it 2nd time round |
Explain why antigenic variability causes some people to get infected more than once | ∵ Memory B/T cells don't recognise new antigens Antibodies previously produced are not effective ∵ shape not complementary to new antigen |
What is the secondary response? | When same pathogen enters body = immune system will produce quicker, stronger immune response |
Why is the secondary response quicker than the primary response? Explain in terms of memory T-cells/B-cells | Clonal selection happens faster Memory T-cells are activated and divide into correct type of T-cells to kill cell carrying antigen Memory B-cells are activated and divide into plasma cells that produce right antibody to antigen |
Why do you suffer from symptoms? | ∵ B-cells busy dividing to increase their numbers to deal with pathogen |
What are vaccinations? | Injection of antigens (Antigen from) attenuated pathogen Stimulates the formation of memory cells |
What is meant by herd immunity? | Many vaccinated = reduces occurrence of disease ∴ those unvaccinated, less likely to catch disease Chance of disease spreading is reduced |
Name 2 disadvantages of oral vaccines | Could be broken down by enzymes in gut Molecules of vaccine = too large to be absorbed into blood |
Describe how vaccination lead to immunity (7) | Vaccine contains antigen from pathogen Macrophage presents antigen on its surface T cell with complementary receptor protein binds to antigen T cell stimulates B cell, with complementary antibody on its surface B-cells undergo mitosis/form clones Plasma cells produce lots of antibodies Memory cells produced = more antibodies produced faster in secondary response on reinfection |
What is antigenic variation? | When pathogens change their surface antigens |
Why do different antigens form? | ∵ of changes in genes |
Why does antigenic variation makes it difficult to develop vaccines against some pathogens? | If infected, T/B memory cells produced from vaccination won't recognise different antigens Antibodies previously produced not effective as shape not complementary to new antigen |
Strains of Influenza are _ ___ | immunologically distinct |
What is active immunity? | When your immune system makes its own antibodies after being stimulated by antigen |
What is passive immunity? | Immunity gotten from being given antibodies made by different organism (immune system doesn't produce any antibodies of its own) |
Active Immunity | Becoming immune after catching a disease |
Active Immunity | Becoming immune after being given vaccination |
Passive Immunity | Baby become immune due to antibodies it receives from mother, through placenta and breast milk |
Passive Immunity | Becoming immune after being injected with antibodies from something else |
Name 4 differences between active and passive immunity | |
A person may develop influenza twice within a short time. Explain why. (2) | New strain of virus New strain not recognised by memory cells |
Explain why during the secondary response, the person doesn't show any symptoms (4) | Memory cells produced Infection with same pathogen causes secondary response More antibodies produced Pathogen killed before symptoms occur |
What is an antigen presenting cell? | A cell of the body infected by a virus or a phagocyte that presents the foreign antigen on its surface |
What is purpose of agglutination? | Acts as marker = makes phagocytosis easier Stops entry into cells |