1. Describe the typical external barriers that humans present to pathogens.

    1. The human body has a first line of defense against pathogens. This defense comes in three parts: 1) skin, 2) digestive tract, and 3) respiratory tract protection. The skin can be divided into 3 layers itself: 1) epidermis, 2) middle dermis, and 3) a layer of subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis presents a strong barrier. Chemical weapons are implemented on the surface (oil and sweat glands maintaining surface pH levels from 3-5). The other two defense mechanisms work with saliva, and in some cases, such as in the lungs, with mucus.

  2. Outline the process of non-specific inflammatory response.

    1. Injured cells release an alarm signal

    2. Local blood vessels dilate (blood flow increases)

    3. Permeability of capillaries in area increased (leads to tissue swelling)

    4. Neutrophils arrive (kill bacteria and tissue in area)

    5. Macrophages arrive (engulf dead cells and pathogens)

  3. Explain how mammals recognize and discriminate between self and non-self tissues.

    1. Mammals use lymphocytes to recognize specific antigens. These lymphocytes use specific receptors such as T receptor and B receptor. Antibodies are the circulating B receptors. There are binding mechanisms, called hypervariable segments, which detect the shape of antigens. The shape of these structures is very specific, and even a minor change in amino acids changes the external shape of antigens. The antibody covers an “okay” antigen with milk and mucus.

  4. Distinguish between antibody-mediated and cell-mediated patterns of warfare.

    1. Antibody-mediated patterns of warfare

    2. Cell-mediated patterns of warfare

  5. Explore the mechanisms of immunological specificity and memory.

  6. Examine the disorders which cause the failure of the body's immune responses.

    1. In general

    2. Specific disorder #1

    3. Specific disorder #2

  7. Connect the structure of viruses to the process of immunization.

  8. Categorize the structural basis for classifying pathogenic bacteria as opposed to harmless bacteria.

Bryan Bishop Immunology (You are not immune!) March 7th, 02006