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OCR Biology A - 4.1.1 - Communicable Disease, Disease Prevention and the Immune System Part 5
This deck covers key concepts related to communicable diseases, disease prevention, and the immune system, focusing on cytokines, antibodies, and immune responses.
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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| 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 |
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 |