Chapter 43 – The Immune System
1. Describe the function of the immune system.
Function: protect body from pathogens + foreign objects, destroy infected or malignant cells, and remove cellular debris.
System includes: thymus, spleen, lymph nodes and tissues, stem cells, white blood cells, antibodies.
2. Compare innate and acquired immunity, and how they differ in terms of how quickly they attack a pathogen, and how they recognize a pathogen.
Innate immunity- immediate defense upon infection and foundation for adaptive immunity
-rapid response
-distinguishes non-self from self- molecular recognition. then, receptor molecules bind specifically to molecules from foreign cells or viruses.
-recognition of traits shared …show more content…
Describe the antigen receptors on the surface of T lymphocytes (also known as T cells), and the result when they bind antigen.
T cells:
-2 polypeptide chains: alpha and beta chain
- variable(v) regions- antigen-biding site
-constant (c) region- the main body of the antigen receptor
Binding:
-T-cells only bind to antigen that are presented on the surface of host cell
15. Describe the protein structure and function of an antibody/immunoglobulin, and where the variable (V) and constant (C) regions are found.
-structure: antibody/immunoglobulin formed from the antigen receptors on the B Cell -turned into soluble structure rather than membrane bonded
-function: bind to antigens on the pathogens of FREE floating antigens
- structure: variable(v) regions- amino acids are different in each B cell constant (c) region- amino acids are constant
-function: bind to host cell's MHC and antigen fragments at antigen presentation
16. Explain the function of the MHC molecules, and their role in antigen presentation.
-MHC molecule- host protein that displays the antigen fragments on the cell