The Immune System Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

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What is the main job of the immune system?

To defend the body against pathogens and stop disease.

Name three ways white blood cells defend the body.

They engulf pathogens, make antibodies, and make antitoxins.

What is phagocytosis?

When a white blood cell engulfs a pathogen and digests it.

What is an antigen?

A unique molecule on a pathogen's surface that triggers an immune response.

What are antibodies and what do they do?

They are proteins made by white blood cells. They bind to matching antigens and help destroy the pathogen.

Why is each antibody specific to one pathogen?

Its shape fits only one antigen, like a lock and key.

What do antitoxins do?

They neutralise toxins made by bacteria so they cannot harm cells.

What are memory cells and why are they useful?

They are long-lived white blood cells. They remember an antigen so the body makes antibodies faster next time.

How does the skin help defend the body?

It acts as a barrier to pathogens. If cut, it forms a scab to seal the wound.

How do the nose, trachea and bronchi trap and remove pathogens?

Mucus traps them. Cilia move the mucus to the throat where it is swallowed.

How does stomach acid protect you from infection?

The acid kills many pathogens in swallowed mucus and food.