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LGS A-Level OCR Biology - Unit 4 - Communicable Disease, Disease Prevention and the Immune System Part 5

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This deck covers key concepts from Unit 4 of the OCR Biology A-Level syllabus, focusing on communicable diseases, disease prevention, and the immune system.

Cytokines

Chemicals that allow communication of cells in the immune system
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Key Terms

Term
Definition
Cytokines
Chemicals that allow communication of cells in the immune system
What does interferon inhibit
Virus replication
Immunoglobulins
Complex proteins produced by plasma cells e.g. antibodies
Distinct regions of antibodies
Variable | Constant - same in all antibodies
Structure of antibodies
4 polypeptide chains (2 light and 2 heavy help together by disulphide bonds)
Which region of the antibody does the antigen bind to
Variable

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TermDefinition
Cytokines
Chemicals that allow communication of cells in the immune system
What does interferon inhibit
Virus replication
Immunoglobulins
Complex proteins produced by plasma cells e.g. antibodies
Distinct regions of antibodies
Variable | Constant - same in all antibodies
Structure of antibodies
4 polypeptide chains (2 light and 2 heavy help together by disulphide bonds)
Which region of the antibody does the antigen bind to
Variable
Which region of the antibody does the phagocyte bind to
Constant
Main groups of antibodies
Opsonins; Agglutinins; Anti-toxins
Why are the opsonins in the specific response more effective than those in the non-specific response
They don't bind tightly to specific antigens
Primary function of opsonins in the primary response
Promoting phagocytosis by acting as a marker
How do opsonins neutralise pathogens
If the antigen on the pathogen has a function (e.g. attachment to the host cell), the pathogen can no longer carry out this function
What can't pathogens do when attached to antibodies
Enter host cells
Agglutinins
Because each antibody has two identical binding sites they can bind to several pathogens and crosslink them When many antibodies perform this cross linking, pathogens become agglutinated
Agglutinated pathogens are …
Physically impeded from carrying out functions (neutralised); Readily engulfed by phagocytes; Non-infective
Toxin
Protein that harms us
Antitoxins
Bind to toxins released by pathogenic cells. The actions of antitoxins renders them harmless
Primary immune response
Immune response when a pathogen is encountered for the first time
How long does it take for the no. of antibodies in the blood to rise
5 days for everything to occur (e.g. phagocytosis, APCs, migration to lymph, T &B clonal selection and expansion); In the meantime, pathogens multiply and we experience symptoms
Secondary immune response
T and B memory cells circulating in blood are rapidly activated if the pathogens infect again; V. quick production of antibodies for higher conc. and sustained for longer; Pathogen is killed before we notice symptoms
When do autoimmune diseases occur
When the immune system recognises a 'self' antigen as a foreign antigen & attacks healthy body tissue
Immunity
Being able to kill pathogens if infected before getting symptoms
-ve of immunosuppressants
May deprive the body of its natural defence against pathogens
Active immunity
Achieved when immune system is activated and manufactures its own antibodies
Passive immunity
Achieved when antibodies are supplied from another source
Natural immunity
Achieved through normal life processes