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1. Innate
2. Cell-Mediated
3. Humoral
IgM blood and ß cell surface Initial immune response. Blood IgM
has a pentameric structure, on B
cell, has a monomeric structure.
IgA secretions: saliva, mucus, tears, breast Has a dimeric structure, secreted in
milk, etc.) breast milk to help protect
newborns
The variable region of a given antibody binds to an antigen (Ag) ( ex: viral capsid
proteins, bacteria surface proteins, and toxins within the bloodstream.
Remember: antibodies are soluble in plasma: therefore they can only bind to antigens
to which they have access ( not on the interior of a cell for
instance)
Epitope: the small section on an antigen that is recognized by
an antibody
Paratope: the small section on an antibody that recognizes
the antigen
B-Cells: a type of lymphocyte that makes antibodies:
- immature B cells are derived from stem cells in bone marrow
- Immature B cells express antibody molecules on their surface.
- When an antigen binds to the antibody on the surface of the immature B cell,
the cell is stimulated to proliferate and produce two kinds of cells:
• Plasma Cells: produce and secrete antibody protein into the plasma
• Memory Cells produced from the same clone and so have the same
variable regions, however, do NOT secrete antibody. Instead, they remain
dormant sometimes for years until the antigen is present again. Upon binding,
they become activated and start producing antibody quickly and prolifically
( clonal selection)
Primary Immune response: the first time a person encounters an antigen , which can
take a week or more to proliferate adequate antibody levels.
Secondary Immune Response: whereupon subsequent exposures, the immune
response is much faster and stronger due to memory cells.
Vaccination: used to improve the immune response by exposing the immune system
to an antigen associated with a virus or bacterium, thereby building up a secondary
response without the unpleasantness of a primary infection.
Tissues to Know:
• Bone Marrow: site of red and white blood cell production from a common
progenitor.
• Spleen: filters the blood and destroys RBC’s. Site of immune cell interaction.
• Thymus: the site of T cell maturation, especially in childhood. ( the thymus shrinks
in size in adults. )
• Tonsils/ Appendix: lymphatic tissues that “catch” pathogens on their way through.
*B and T cells must undergo regulation to eliminate self-reactive cells, which are killed
through apoptosis. If this process is unsuccessful, an autoimmune reaction occurs.