Chapter Objectives

After studying this chapter, students should be able to . . .

2. Describe how B lymphocytes respond to antigens and define the terms memory cellIand plasma cell.

3. Describe the structure and classifications of antibodies and discuss the nature of antigens.

4. Describe the complement system and explain how antigen-antibody reactions lead to the destruction of an invading pathogen.

5. Describe the events that occur during a local inflammation.

6. Describe the process of active immunity and explain how the clonal selection theory may account for this process.

7. Describe the mechanisms of passive immunity and give natural and clinical examples of this form of immunization.

8. Explain how monoclonal antibodies are produced and describe some of their clinical uses.

9. Explain how T lymphocytes are classified and describe the function of the thymus.

10. Define the term lymphokines and list some of these molecules and their functions.

11. Describe the histocompatibility antigens and explain their importance in the function of the T cell receptor proteins.

12. Describe the interaction between macrophages and helper T lymphocytes and explain how the helper T cells affect immunological defense by killer T cells and B cells.

13. Explain the possible role of suppressor T lymphocytes in the negative feedback control of the immune response.

14. Explain the possible mechanisms responsible for tolerance of self-antigens.

15. Describe some of the characteristics of cancer and explain how natural killer cells and killer T lymphocytes provide immunological surveillance against cancer.

16. Define the term autoimmune disease, give examples of different kinds of autoimmune diseases, and explain some of the mechanisms by which these diseases are produced.

17. Explain how immune complex diseases may be produced and give examples of these diseases.

18. Distinguish between immediate hypersensitivity and delayed hypersensitivity and describe the mechanisms responsible for each form of allergy.