or all 5 for extra credit (5 pts each)
Answers are to be typed and handed on 3/13/06. If you do not bring in
the short answers, then you will have to write it in class (without
using the textbook).
If you are absent, the answers must be handed in when you return to
class but extra credit will not be given. If you do not bring in the
short answers when you return to class, then you will have to write it
in class (without using the textbook).
Do not copy and paste slide(s) from posted powerpoint presentations.
1. Use of birth control pills decreases the acidity of the vaginal tract. Why might this
increase the incidence of vaginal infections (vaginitis)? Discuss the cell types and their
functions, barriers, and antimicrobial proteins involved in nonspecific resistance.
2. Discuss the types of T cells and the role played by each in the immune response.
3. Describe how your immune system is activated after you have just spent the day
teaching a runny-nose 7th grader who has given you a virus that you now must fight off.
Begin after the virus has infected your cells and don't stop until all the viruses are gone.
This answer should include all the major parts of a complete immune response.
4. Compare and contrast the 4 types of hypersensitivity and give an example of each type.
5. List the major effects of inflammation and explain the purpose of each effect. What is
the relationship between inflammation and heart disease?
1. The vaginal tract is slightly acidic, and this is an adaptation that supplements the sticky
mucous lining (and the bacterial lysozyme that is secreted) in order to make the vaginal
tract inhabitable for certain bacteria. The vaginal tract’s acidity is an example of innate
immunity, as the acid is strong enough to dissolve common bacteria (like E. coli) or
yeasts so that they only exist in suitably small numbers and do not compete with a
lactobacillus bacteria which helps in maintaining vaginal tract health by releasing an
antimicrobial protein against bacteria such as Gardnerella vaginalis. An unhealthy
vaginal tract can become infected and presents with irritation, pain, and/or inflammation.
2. The four flavors of T cells are all produced in the thymus gland by fetal stem cells. The
T cells produce 10^45 antigen receptor sites after stimulation by thymosin hormones and
become “immunocompetent.” T cells then bind to antigenpresenting MHC proteins on a
host cell and start to multiply through binary fission. Helper T cells bind to cells with
MHCII membrane proteins and release lymphokines after a sort of reciprocal hormonal
biofeedback process between the antigenpresenting cell and the T cell.
The helper T cell releases three types of lymphokines (sorted by the type of
immunity they incur) – a macrophageactivating factor with other lymphokines that result
in more macrophage activity, leukocyte chemotaxis towards the antigen, and
imflammation (nonspecific immunity); interleukin2 and helper factors to find and
stimulate production of suitable B cells (humoral specific immunity); and interleukin1
with other lymphokines to costimulate cytotoxic T cells and cause the right ones
(corresponding to antigen) to clone themselves (cellular specific immunity).
Cytotoxic/killer T cells are unique among T cells in that they alone can lyse other
cells, and they do this by finding cells that contain the antigens that they can identify and
releasing perforin, a protein that destroys the cell membrane of the infected cell.
Lymphotoxins can also be secreted to destroy DNA, tumor necrosis factor to destroy
cancer cells, and migrationinhibiting factor to prevent the infected macrophages from
“getting away.”
Suppressor/effector T cells inhibit the strength of the immune reaction so that the
body is not attacked when the pathogen disappears – they stymie autoimmune disorders.
Memory T cells form from cytotoxis T cells so that in the event of reinfection by
the same pathogen, the immune response will be swifter.
4. Hypersensitivity (allergies) is a phenomenon where the body overreacts to a previously
encountered antigen such that tissue damage or even whole body impairment (e.g. shock
and, of course, death) can occur. There are four types of hypersensitivity:
Anaphylaxis is the type I hypersensitive reaction. The allergen provokes the
creation of IgE antibodies which bind to basophils, which release histamines, a
vasodilator, and heparin, a blood thinner, in order to effect inflammation at the site as
blood flow to the affected tissues is increased. This is why allergies are manifested as red
and watery eyes, runny nose, and hives. Asthma is a form of anaphylaxis. Severe
anaphylaxis leads to anaphylactic shock as a combination of edema and airway
constriction prevents tissues from getting enough oxygen.
Type II antibodydependent cytotoxic hypersensitivity causes cytotoxic T cells to
lyse body cells because IgG and IgE antibodies wrongly recognize an antigen on the body
cell as pathogenic. In autoimmune hemolytic anemia, penicillin acts as an allergen as it
binds to erythrocytes and induces lysis when antibodies attach to the penicillin and draws
the attention of a cytotoxic T cell.
Type III immunecomplex initiated hypersensitivity occurs when antibodies bind
to freefloating antigens; the resulting molecular complex can lodge into cells and cause
them to lyse if they are the right size and type in order to do so. In acute
glomerulonephritis, the glomerulus cells inflame and kidney function is impaired, leading
to very serious problems as blood is not cleaned and waste matter builds up.
Type IV cellmediated or delayed hypersensitivity occurs 1272 hours after
exposure to the allergen because this process relies partially on effector/suppressor T
cells, and they have to travel from the lymph nodes to the tissue (which takes a while
since Langerhans' cells have to take up the allergen and send them to an appropriate T
cell). Chemicals in poison ivy cause contact dermatitis (skin inflammation) once the T
cells release cytokines which attract monocytes that subsequently turn in macrophages
and lead to inflammation.
So, the allergic reactions in type I rely on IgE and basophils, in type II cytotoxic T
cells and mostly IgG, in type III antigenantibody complexes reacting with tissues, and in
type IV suppressor T cells.
5. The role of inflammation is to increase flow of cells and chemicals to an injured area to
initiate recovery as well as destruction of pathogens. Inflammation has four primary
diagnostic qualities: erythema from increased blood flow to the region (hyperemia),
edema from blood buildup (due to increased capillary permeability), high relative
temperature (increased metabolic activity at the inflammation site), and pain due to
pressure on nerves and chemicals such as bradykinin and prostaglandins secreted from
damaged tissue. Bradykinin is a strong vasodilator, and can lead to circulatory shock as a
result.