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Immune System
This category is for questions about how our bodies identify and fight off disease, infection or pathogens through specialized cells, tissues and organs. The system that does this is called the immune system. It produces antibodies which recognize intruders and neutralizes potentially pathogenic organisms or substances.
4,548 Questions
What is the difference between pathogenic and spoilage bacteria?
Pathogenic bacteria are harmful and can cause diseases in humans, while spoilage bacteria are not typically harmful but can degrade food quality by causing changes in taste, texture, and appearance. Pathogenic bacteria pose a health risk, whereas spoilage bacteria primarily impact the quality of food.
What are some new discoveries in biotechnology?
Thanks to a compound repellent that is found in corral, one new discovery comes of that shaped in pill form which may be taken orally to use for sunscreen. Another discovery is a pill that also works as a magnet which can be guided to an exact location, for instance to be place on a tumor and then released in pill form over the tumor.
Anorexia is not caused by a pathogen. It is a complex mental health disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. Psychological, genetic, environmental, and cultural factors can all contribute to the development of anorexia.
What is an example of pathogen?
Things
A pathogen is a biological agent that causes disease to its host.
Some human pathogens
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis - the causative agent of most cases of tuberculosis
- Mycobacterium leprae - the bacterium that causes leprosy (Hansen's disease)
- Yersinia pestis - pneumonic, septicemic, and the notorious bubonic plagues (aka "Black Death")
- Rickettsia prowazekii - the etiologic agent of typhus fever
- Bartonella spp.
- Spanish influenza virus
What are the 3 main cells in Immune System?
Antigen-presenting cells
Cells which do not have antigen-specific receptors. Instead, they capture and process antigens, present them to T cell receptors. These cells include macrophages, dentritic cells and B cells.
B cells
Also known as B cell lymphocytes.
B cells spend their entire early life in the bone marrow. Upon maturity, their job is to travel throughout the blood and lymph looking for antigens with which they can interlock.
Once a B cell has identified an antigen, it starts replicating itself. These cloned cells mature into antibody-manufacturing plasma cells.
Basophils
Similar to mast cells, but distributed throughout the body. Like mast cells, basophils release histamine upon encountering certain antigens, thereby triggering an allergic reaction.
Cytotoxic T cells
Also called cytotoxic T lymphocytes or CTLs.
Dendritic cells
Mostly found in the skin and mucosal epithelium, where they are referred to as Langerhan's cells. Unlike macrophages, dendritic cells can also recognize viral particles as non-self. In addition, they can present antigens via both MHC I and MHC II, and can thus activate both CD8 and CD4 T cells, directly.
Granulocytes
Leukocytes (white blood cells) containing granules in the cytoplasm. Also known as a granular leukocyte. They seem to act as a first line of defense, as they rush toward an infected area and engulf the offending microbes. Granulocytes kill microbes by digesting them with killer enzymes contained in small units called lysosomes.
Helper T cells
These cells travel through the blood and lymph, looking for antigens (such as those captured by antigen-presenting cells). Upon locating an antigen, they notify other cells to assist in combating the invader.
This is sometimes done through the use of cytokines (or specifically, lymphokines) which help destroy target cells and stimulate the production of healthy new tissue. Interferon is an example of such a cytokine.
Leukocytes
White blood cells. These are the cells which provide immunity, and they can be subdivided into three classes: lymphocytes, granulocytes and monocytes
Lymphocytes
Small white blood cells which are responsible for much of the work of the immune system. Lymphocytes can be divided into three classes: B cells, T cells and null cells.
Macrophages
Literally, "large eaters." These are large, long-lived phagocytes which capture foreign cells, digest them, and present protein fragments (peptides) from these cells and manifest them on their exterior. In this manner, they present the antigens to the T cells.
Macrophages are strategically located in lymphoid tissues, connective tissues and body cavities, where they are likely to encounter antigens. They also act as effector cells in cell-mediated immunity.
Mast cells
Cells concentrated within the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and within the deep layers of the skin. These cells release histamine upon encountering certain antigens, thereby triggering an allergic reaction.
Memory cells
Specialized B cells which grant the body the ability to manufacture more of a particular antibody as needed, in case a particular antigen is ever encountered again.
Monocytes
Large, agranular leukocytes with relatively small, eccentric, oval or kidney-shaped nuclei.
Plasma cells
Specialized B cells which churn out antibodies-more than two thousand per second. Most of these die after four to five days; however, a few survive to become memory cells.
T cells
Also known as T cell lymphocytes.
Unlike B cells, these cells leave the marrow at an early age and travel to the thymus, where they mature. Here they are imprinted with critical information for recognizing "self" and "non-self" substances.
Among the subclasses of T cells are helper T cells and cytotoxic (or killer) T cells.
Which cells are able to protect the body by engulfing foreign cells or producing antibodies?
Immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils are able to engulf foreign cells through a process called phagocytosis. B cells and T cells are specialized in producing antibodies to target and neutralize foreign invaders.
Are T and b cells are two types of phagocytes?
No, T and B cells are not phagocytes. T cells are a type of lymphocyte involved in cell-mediated immunity, while B cells are another type of lymphocyte responsible for producing antibodies. Phagocytes are a different type of immune cell that engulf and digest pathogens.
Organelles that contain enzymes that destroy material engulfed by phagocytes are what?
Lysosomes are the organelles that contain enzymes responsible for breaking down material engulfed by phagocytes. They help in the digestion of foreign particles or damaged organelles within the cell.
Nail diseases are conditions that affect the nails, such as fungal infections, psoriasis, eczema, and ingrown nails. These conditions can cause changes in the appearance, texture, and color of the nails, and may lead to discomfort or pain. Treatment options vary depending on the specific nail disease.
What is the time between a pathogen invasion and the first symptoms called?
The time between a pathogen invasion and the first symptoms appearing is called the incubation period. During this period, the pathogen is actively multiplying within the body before symptoms become noticeable.
What pathogen causes mononucleosis?
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the pathogen that causes mononucleosis, also known as "mono" or the "kissing disease."
This process is called chemotaxis. Phagocytes and white blood cells are attracted to the site of inflammation by chemical signals released by damaged cells. Chemotaxis helps these cells locate and eliminate pathogens and damaged tissue in the inflamed area.
A foreign molecule that causes a specific immune response is?
Depending on the exact response, the substance is generally called a pathogen, yet more specifically depending on the nature of the response and origin of the substance, could be an antigen, allergen, carcinogen, etc.
Distinguish among pathogenic deficiency hereditary and physiological disease?
Pathogenic diseases are caused by what is called a pathogen. Pathogens are parasitic organisms that cause disease int heir host. There are five different groups of pathogens: Viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans and parasitic worms.
Deficiency diseases are just as the name suggests. They are caused by a deficiency of a particular nutrient in the diet.
Hereditary diseases are passed on through generations via their genes. For example, haemophilia and sickle cell disease. They cannot be cured.
Physiological diseases are caused by the failure or malfunction of body parts or organs
Where to find non pathogenic freeze dried staph bacteria with growth medium?
You can find non-pathogenic freeze-dried Staphylococcus bacteria with growth medium from scientific supply companies or online biological supply stores. These companies offer a variety of non-pathogenic bacterial strains for research and educational purposes. Make sure to follow appropriate safety protocols when working with bacteria in a lab setting.
Why is the term immune system a misnomer?
The term "immune system" is a misnomer because it does not just protect against external threats like pathogens, but also plays a role in maintaining tissue homeostasis, responding to stress, and influencing various physiological processes. It's a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that goes beyond just immunity.
B cells play a role in producing antibodies, while T helper cells (Th cells) help activate and coordinate the immune response. Cytotoxic T cells (Tc cells) are responsible for directly killing infected cells. Both Th cells and Tc cells are types of T cells, with Th cells regulating the immune response and Tc cells directly attacking infected cells.
What is it called when pathogens invade the body?
Antigens: BUT that is only true if the antigens cause a harmful reaction when they invade.
Is there a list of pathogens which can be observed with staining.?
There is no index of pathogens which are observable with or without staining. Pathogens can now be detected in flowing fluids, but cannot be identified. The signals now received indicate the size of the cluster only. This represents a major advance as it means that drinking water can be interogated for presence of bacteria.
A pathogen is an agent that is?
A pathogen is an agent, such as a virus, bacterium, parasite, or fungus, that causes disease in its host organism. It can infect the host and disrupt normal bodily functions, leading to symptoms of illness.
HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, is itself a pathogen.
HIV is a virus.
HIV itself is a pathogen Human Immunodeficiency virus cause HIV/AIDS disease it belongs to retro virus which has ability to convert mRNA to DNA the reverse transcription and possess reverse transcriptase enzyme
What are the end products of starch hydrolysis?
The end products of starch hydrolysis are glucose molecules. Starch is broken down into its constituent glucose units through the action of enzymes, such as amylase, which cleave the glycosidic bonds between the glucose molecules in the starch polymer.
What kind of cells activate the immune system when foreign substances appear?
Cells called antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells and macrophages, play a key role in activating the immune system when foreign substances appear. These cells identify and capture foreign antigens, present them to T cells, and help initiate an immune response.
What are the two types of fungi?
The two main types of fungi are yeasts and molds. Yeasts are single-celled fungi that reproduce asexually through budding, while molds are multicellular fungi that grow as long filaments called hyphae and reproduce through spores.
