Immunology - Lecture Thirty Two : Innate immunology II

4 important questions on Immunology - Lecture Thirty Two : Innate immunology II

What are pathogens killed by in phagocytosis?

  • Low pH environment
  • Reactive oxygen (hydrogen peroxide) and reactive nitrogen intermediates (NO)
  • Enzymes : Proteases. Lipases and nucleases

What are the main features of the complement cascade system ?

Complement system : 9 major proteins/protein complexes that act in sequence to clear pathogens from blood and tissues.  These are key components of the innate immune system.
Complement proteins are made in the liver and circulate in the blood, in their inactive states. They require activation to have their immune effects.
FUNCTIONS :
Label pathogens/ opsonization : This makes them attractive for phagocytes to engulf themRecruit phagocytes : This done by chemotaxisDestroy pathogens : Done by the lysis of the pathogen

How are the Complement Cascade activated ?

  • Classical pathway : This is when the antibodies bound to the pathogen binds to a complement protein
  • Alternative pathway : When the pathogen directly binds to the complement protein. The complement binds to the surface or pathogen component and not to an antibody
  • Lectin pathway : When the carbohydrate of the microbe or pathogen binds to complement
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

What are 3 outcomes of the Complement Cascade?

  • Opsonization : microbes are coated with antibodies and complement fragments C3b. This makes them more attractive to phagocytes who want to phagocytose them.
  • Destroy : When a microbe or a pathogen has been labeled with C3b are phagocytosed and also attacked by the MAC (membrane attack complex) causing lysis of the pathogen
  • Recruit : Phagocytes are attracted to the site of the infection after mast cells degranulate (by C3a and C5a) and releases inflammatory mediators

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo