First Line of Defense
Skin, mucus, tears, stomach acid
Is innate immunity specific or nonspecific?
Nonspecific
What type of immunity is slow but specific?
Adaptive (acquired) immunity
What is an antigen?
Molecule that triggers an immune response
What do vaccines contain?
Antigens (weakened/inactive pathogens)
What fluid contains enzymes that kill bacteria (hint: eyes)?
Tears (contain lysozyme)
What do B cells produce?
Antibodies
What is an antigen receptor?
Molecule on immune cells that binds antigens
What do vaccines create in the body?
Memory B cells
What does stomach acid do to pathogens?
Kills/destroys pathogens (denatures proteins)
Engulf and destroy pathogens (phagocytosis)
What is the function of antibodies?
Bind to pathogens and flag them for destruction
What type of cell directly kills infected cells?
T cells
Why don’t antibiotics work on viruses?
Physical barrier + prevents entry of pathogens
Can innate immunity remember pathogens?
What is the difference between plasma B cells and memory B cells?
Plasma B cells = make antibodies
Memory B cells = remember pathogen
What do T cells do vs B cells?
B cells → produce antibodies
T cells → kill infected cells / help immune response
Why do we need booster shots?
Antigens change (mutations) → need updated response
It acts immediately (fast response)
Why is the second infection response faster?
Memory cells respond faster
What are leukocytes?
White blood cells (immune defense cells)
Bacteria with resistance survive and reproduce