Immunity

Phagocytes and the Non-Specific ResponseSign up

understand the non-specific responses to infection: inflammation, lysozyme action, interferon and phagocytosis

Antigens and the Specific Immune ResponseSign up

understand the roles of antigens and antibodies in the body's immune response, including plasma cells, macrophages and antigen-presenting cells · understand the differences between B cells (B memory and B effector) and T cells (T helper, T killer, T memory) in the host's immune response

Antibodies and Monoclonal AntibodiesSign up

relate the molecular structure of antibodies (immunoglobulins) to their functions: two identical heavy and two identical light polypeptide chains joined by disulfide bonds, variable and constant regions, two antigen-binding sites, and the hinge region; link this structure to specificity and to agglutination, neutralisation and opsonisation (11.2.1) · outline the hybridoma method for producing monoclonal antibodies: immunise a mouse with the antigen, isolate antibody-producing B-lymphocytes/plasma cells, fuse them with myeloma (tumour) cells to form immortal hybridoma cells, then screen, select and culture the single clone producing the desired antibody (11.2.2) · outline the principles of using monoclonal antibodies in the DIAGNOSIS of disease, e.g. pregnancy testing, ELISA/immunoassays, and locating blood clots or tumours using labelled antibodies (11.2.3) · outline the principles of using monoclonal antibodies in the TREATMENT of disease, e.g. targeted delivery of drugs or radioisotopes to cells bearing a specific antigen, such as in cancer therapy (11.2.3)

Immunity Types and VaccinationSign up

understand how individuals develop immunity (natural, artificial, active and passive) · understand how the evolutionary arms race between pathogens and hosts is supported by pathogen evasion mechanisms · understand the difference between bacteriostatic and bactericidal antibiotics · CORE PRACTICAL 14: investigate the effect of different antibiotics on bacteria · know how understanding the contributory causes of hospital-acquired infections has led to codes of practice on antibiotic prescription and infection control