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 immune system?

It is the body’s defence system made of cells and organs that protect us from pathogens.

How does a phagocyte help to defend the body?

A phagocyte surrounds a pathogen and digests it, removing it from the body.

What is an antigen?

An antigen is a protein on the surface of a pathogen that the immune system recognises as foreign.

What is an antibody?

An antibody is a protein made by some white blood cells that sticks to a specific antigen.

How do antibodies help to destroy pathogens?

Antibodies attach to antigens, causing pathogens to clump together or marking them so other cells can destroy them.

Why is each antibody specific to one antigen?

Each antibody has a unique shape that fits only one antigen, like a lock and key.

What is a memory lymphocyte cell?

It is a long-lived white blood cell that remembers a specific antigen and can make antibodies quickly if it returns.

What is meant by immunity to a disease?

It means the immune system can respond so fast to a pathogen that you do not become ill or only get very mild symptoms.

How is the secondary immune response different from the first (primary) response?

The secondary response is faster and makes more antibodies because memory cells are already present.

Why do you not get better from an infection straight away?

It takes time for white blood cells to recognise the pathogen and produce enough antibodies and other responses to remove it.