4.

LINE OF DEFENCE I & II

Defence mechanism: protect the body from potentially harmful invasions by foreign organisms

FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE - EXTERNAL DEFENCE BARRIERS SECOND LINE OF DEFENCE INTERNAL DEFENCE ADAPTATIONS
Non-specific Cell-Mediated Responses attack all foreign particles -> Inflammation Response damaged to body tissue such as by pathogenic invasion -> red, hot, swollen, painful - increased blood circulation to area - blood vessels dilate + become leaky -> help confine the pathogen while increased number of white blood cells help destroy it -> dead cells, toxins can be removed quickly + repair of the tissues can begin The inflammation responses are mediated by chemicals such as histamine and prostaglandins released from the damaged tissues.

-> Phagocytosis Process in which (phagoctyes) white blood cells engulf + destroy foreign material including pathogens - (can actively move from blood -> tissues)

- acute inflammation (lasting hours or days): main phagocytes are neutrophils - chronic inflammation (weeks or months): main phagocytes are macrophages -> macrophages are produced in small numbers in acute responses, but they outlive neutrophils and play a major role in destroying chronic infections and helping the repair of damaged tissues

-> Lymph System Lymphocytes: white blood cells that become active in chronic inflammation Two main types B cells + T cells (involved in the third line of defence)

-> Cell Death to seal of Pathogens (Apoptosis) When the body is unable to neutralize an antigen, a particular type of chronic inflammation involving both macrophages and lymphocytes may occur. This causes the body to seal off the pathogens in a cyst or within a cluster of cells (granulomas). These cells die so that the pathogen is isolated from its food supply and also dies.

What are Antigens

Antigen: molecules (body recognizes as foreign) that trigger the immune response Cells in body marker molecules on surface identify cell as belonging to body = protects cells in body from attack by own immune system Foreign cells Eg. Pathogens chemical markers (antigens) immune system recog as different foreign + not belonging to body activates immune response to destroy foreign invader

Why organ transplants trigger an immune response

New organ received = cells surface has different marker molecules (act as foreign antigens) identified as foreign -> activates immune response to attack the organ in order to defend body

An imbalance of microflora can cause disease in humans

The mixture of organisms usually bacteria that are regularly present in humans is referred to as the microflora. Microflora: micro-organisms that live on or in the body that usually dont cause disease. often part of the first line of defence Eg. the harmless bacteria that secrete acids to destroy pathogens Candidiasis, or thrush, is a disease caused by an imbalance in the numbers of the fungus, Candida albicans. The disease can happen in the mouth, the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract, and the female reproductive tract. The fungus is usually kept in check from competition from other microbes such as bacteria living in the same area The taking of certain medications, such as wide-spectrum antibiotics (which can kill beneficial bacteria), or contraceptive pills, can upset the balance of microflora in the body, which can result in an increase in the numbers of the Candida fungus, leading to thrush.