HUMORAL IMMUNITY vs CELL MEDIATED IMMUNITY

Summary

This video explains the difference between humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Humoral immunity involves B cells and antibodies that protect against bacteria and viruses, with examples like anaphylactic shock and eczema. The cell-mediated response, involving T cells, macrophages, and NK cells, helps protect against bacteria, viruses, tumor cells, and fungi, with examples such as tuberculosis and transplant rejection. Both immune responses are crucial for defending the body, but they function through different mechanisms and cell types.

Takeaways

• 😀 The humoral immune response involves B cells and antibodies, providing immediate protection against many bacteria and viruses.
• 😀 Antibodies are produced by plasma cells, which gives the humoral immune response its name, derived from the Greek word for body fluid.
• 😀 The primary and secondary immune responses occur once a pathogen enters the body, with antibody binding playing a key role in this process.
• 😀 Antigens are recognized by antibodies at specific areas called epitopes or antigenic determinants, which match the antigen binding site on the antibody.
• 😀 Examples of conditions involving humoral immunity include anaphylactic shock, eczema, transfusion reactions, and bacterial or viral infections.
• 😀 The cell-mediated immune response occurs when T cells recognize a specific antigen and is also known as delayed hypersensitivity.
• 😀 T cells, macrophages, and NK cells are the primary immune cells involved in the cell-mediated immune response.
• 😀 The cell-mediated immune response helps protect against bacteria, viruses, tumor cells, and fungi.
• 😀 Conditions like toenail fungus, tuberculosis, contact dermatitis, and transplant rejection trigger a cell-mediated immune response.
• 😀 The immune system works in two primary ways: humoral immunity (antibody-based) and cell-mediated immunity (T cell-based), each targeting different aspects of infection and disease.

Q & A

What is the primary function of the humoral immune response?

The primary function of the humoral immune response is to provide immediate protection against many bacteria and viruses, primarily through the action of B cells and the production of antibodies.

What is the significance of the term 'humor' in humoral immunity?

The term 'humor' comes from the Greek word for body fluids, referring to the role of plasma cells in producing antibodies that circulate in body fluids to defend against pathogens.

How do antibodies recognize pathogens?

Antibodies recognize specific areas on a pathogen, known as epitopes or antigenic determinants. The matching area on the antibody that binds to these epitopes is called the paratope or antigen binding site.

What are some examples of conditions related to the humoral immune response?

Examples of conditions related to humoral immunity include anaphylactic shock, eczema, transfusion reactions, and infections caused by bacteria or viruses.

What triggers a cell-mediated immune response?

A cell-mediated immune response is triggered when a T cell recognizes a specific antigen, often leading to delayed hypersensitivity.

Which immune cells are involved in the cell-mediated immune response?

The main immune cells involved in the cell-mediated immune response are T cells, macrophages, and NK cells.

What types of pathogens or conditions does the cell-mediated immune response protect against?

The cell-mediated immune response helps protect against bacteria, viruses, tumor cells, and fungi.

What are some examples of conditions that evoke a cell-mediated immune response?

Examples of conditions that evoke a cell-mediated immune response include toenail fungus, tuberculosis, contact dermatitis, and transplant rejection.

What is the difference between the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses?

The humoral immune response is focused on the production of antibodies by B cells, while the cell-mediated immune response involves T cells and is primarily responsible for targeting infected or abnormal cells, including tumor cells and fungi.

What is delayed hypersensitivity in the context of cell-mediated immunity?

Delayed hypersensitivity refers to the slower onset of the cell-mediated immune response, which typically occurs over a period of hours to days after exposure to a specific antigen.