Back to AI Flashcard MakerBiology /OCR Biology A - 4.1.1 - Communicable Disease, Disease Prevention and the Immune System Part 3
OCR Biology A - 4.1.1 - Communicable Disease, Disease Prevention and the Immune System Part 3
This deck covers key concepts related to communicable diseases, disease prevention, and the immune system, focusing on the body's defense mechanisms and cellular responses.
Where are mucous membranes found
In many of the body tracts that are at risk of infection as they are in contact with the external environment
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
Where are mucous membranes found
In many of the body tracts that are at risk of infection as they are in contact with the external environment
What happens when mucus wafts to the top of the trachea
It enters the oesophagus and is swallowed. Most pathogens are killed by the acidity of the stomach
Examples of expulsive reflexes
Coughing Sneezing Vomiting
What are expulsive reflexes a result of
Irritation by micro-organisms or toxins in areas that are sensitive. The aim is to expel the microorganism
What happens when platelets come into contact with collagen in the skin or walls of damaged blood vessels
They adhere and begin secreting several substances including clotting factors and serotonin
Clotting factors
Thromboplastin
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Where are mucous membranes found | In many of the body tracts that are at risk of infection as they are in contact with the external environment |
What happens when mucus wafts to the top of the trachea | It enters the oesophagus and is swallowed. Most pathogens are killed by the acidity of the stomach |
Examples of expulsive reflexes | Coughing Sneezing Vomiting |
What are expulsive reflexes a result of | Irritation by micro-organisms or toxins in areas that are sensitive. The aim is to expel the microorganism |
What happens when platelets come into contact with collagen in the skin or walls of damaged blood vessels | They adhere and begin secreting several substances including clotting factors and serotonin |
Clotting factors | Thromboplastin |
What does thromboplastin trigger | An enzyme cascade of reactions resulting in the formation of a blood clot. The final step is soluble fibrinogen being converted into insoluble fibrin fibres which forms a barrier |
What does serotonin do | Makes the smooth muscle in the walls of the blood vessels contract, reducing supply of blood to the area |
Inflammatory response | This is a localised response to pathogens resulting in inflammation at the site of a wound Causes pain, heat, redness and tissue swelling |
When mast cells are activated in damaged tissues, what chemicals are released from the cell | Histamines | Cytokines |
Histamines | Makes arterioles dilate to increase blood flow (cause redness) and makes the capillary walls more leaky so more plasma is forced out. The extra tissue fluid causes oedema and pain |
Oedema | Swelling |
What do macrophages measure | Amount of bacteria entering the body |
Roles of macrophages | Swallow pathogens and trap them in membranes Breaks down pathogens by enzymes and kills them Cause inflammation by ordering blood vessels to release water Release interleukins |
How long do neutrophils last | Only 5 days |
Parasite | A microorganism that lives on a host and feeds on it | Causes harm to host |
Secondary defences | Defences that combat pathogens once they have entered the body |
How is it that we identify pathogens as foreign | All cells have antigens. Antigens not specific to the organism (self) are recognised as foreign |
Antigens | Functional proteins/glycosidic proteins intrinsic to the plasma membrane |
Opsonins | Opsonins are protein molecules (antibodies) that attach to the antigens on the surface of a pathogen and assist binding to phagocyte Can be vey specific or not depending if they're part of the non-specific response or specific response |
Role of opsonins | Enhances the ability of phagocytic cells to bind and engulf the pathogen by acting as a marker |
Phagocytes | Specialised cells in the blood and tissue fluid that engulf and digest pathogens (phagocytosis) |
Examples of phagocytes | Neutrophils Macrophages Dendrites |
Dendritic cells | Specialised forms of macrophages |
Process of phagocytosis | Neutrophils bind to opsonins attached to antigen on pathogen Pathogen engulfed (endocytosis) --> phagosomes Lysosomes fuses with phagosome, releases hydrolytic enzymes (digestion) After digestion harmless products are absorbed by the cell |