Part 1: The Human Immune System
This is the body’s first line of defense and includes skin, mucus, and saliva.
What is natural (innate) immunity?
Classic studies examine the effects of academic stress on this body system in medical students before & after exams.
What is the immune system?
When students take one of these during the semester, they have higher levels of anxiety/stress and diminished immune response.
What is an exam?
This type of immunity develops over time and involves recognizing specific pathogens.
What is acquired (adaptive) immunity?
These are signaling proteins that help regulate and communicate immune responses.
What are cytokines?
High-anxiety rats exposed to ultraviolet-B light were more likely to develop this disease compared to low-anxiety rats.
What is cancer?
B cells and T cells are the two types of cells in this category.
What are lymphocytes?
Kayla and Kevin are selected to be participants in a study examining the relationship between partner support or strain and IL-6 levels. Based on previous research, this person (i.e. Kayla or Kevin) is less likely to show a correlation.
Who is Kevin?
Pablo’s recent lab results indicate high levels of pro-inflammatory markers. His doctor also recently diagnosed him with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Based on prior research, this may be Pablo’s next diagnosis.
What is depression?
Carl gets a vaccine for the polio virus. Months later he catches the virus from an unvaccinated friend but will not get sick or develop symptoms since his immune system will recognize & destroy the virus because of this feature of adaptive immunity.
What is immunological memory?
Jonathan (15 yo), his brother Martin (24 yo), and their father Luke (52 yo) all spend about 3 hours a day online. Based on previous research, this person (i.e. Jonathan, Martin, or Luke) is more likely to have better mental health as a function of their time online.
Who is Luke?
Kristina objectively belongs to the middle class but when asked by her friends, she perceives herself as upper-middle class. Janet, on the other hand, objectively belongs to the upper-middle class but when asked by her friends, she perceives herself as middle class. Based on research, this person (i.e. Kristina or Janet) is more likely to have better health outcomes.
Who is Kristina?
Leah’s blood test shows high levels of antibodies circulating in her bloodstream after exposure to a pathogen. This immune response, which occurs in bodily fluids and is mediated by B cells, has been activated.
What is humoral immunity?
This is a type of cytokine, but is not an interleukin.
What is Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-α)?
Rats that were isolated for several weeks showed decreased activity of these immune cells responsible for killing virus-infected cells.
What are natural killer (NK) cells?