PNB 2265 IMMUNE/DEFENSE SYSTEM EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS UPDATED .
What kind of organisms utilize the specific response? Which utilize the nonspecific response?
- Correct Answer --Specific: Vertebrates
-Nonspecific: vertebrates, non-vertebrates, and plants
Briefly explain how the specific response works. - Correct Answer -Immune cells (which are
equipped with specific receptors) recognize specific pathogens and foreign cells, then triggers
a specific response.
Explain the bank analogy for nonspecific and specific defenses. - Correct Answer --Bank
walls/safe: Keeps robbers from accessing money = non specific response
-Video surveillance camera: identifies specific bank robbers = specific response
What are the three roles of the immune responses? - Correct Answer --Defend against
infections by microbes (bacteria, viruses)
-Immune surveillance: eliminate transformed cells before they cause illness
-Eliminate damaged cells from body
What is the negative/ problematic aspect of the immune responses? - Correct Answer -It can
become overactive. If this happens, it can cause allergies, autoimmune diseases, and
transplant rejection
What are the 2 main functions of the lymphatic system? - Correct Answer -Immunity and
body fluid homeostasis
Where does lymph come from? Explain the term "blind ended capillaries". - Correct Answer
-When blood enters capillaries at the tissue level, only 70% of the fluid that filters out of the
capillaries is reclaimed by osmosis prior to blood entering the vein. That 30% of excess
interstitial fluid is picked up by blind ended (closed at one end) lymphatic capillaries and
enters lymphatic circulation, where it forms lymph.
1
, Briefly explain the flow of lymph through lymphatic vessels. - Correct Answer -The
lymphatic vessels make up a one way circulatory system that delivers lymph from tissue
spaces to larger vessels, which ultimately empty into subclavian veins where lymph rejoins
the blood in systemic circulation. While in route, lymph encounters lymphatic tissues and
organs where it is examined by the immune system.
What are lymphocytes? - Correct Answer -The cells of the specific immune system
What is the main role of primary lymphatic organs? - Correct Answer -Where lymphocytes
are produced and mature
Is bone marrow a primary or secondary lymphatic organ? What occurs here? - Correct
Answer -Primary. Produces all blood cells involved in the specific response (B and T cells).
B cells also mature here.
Is the thymus a primary or secondary lymphatic organ? What occurs here? - Correct Answer -
Primary. T cells mature here.
Are lymph nodes primary or secondary lymphatic organs? Where are they located? - Correct
Answer -Secondary. Widespread throughout the body in clusters in the armpits, groin, chest,
neck, and abdomen.
What distinguishes lymph nodes from lymphatic nodules? - Correct Answer -Lymph nodes
are enclosed by a fibrous capsule and the anterior is divided into partitions. The lymphatic
nodules are less well defined.
What links the lymph nodes together? Where does lymph enter and exit the lymph nodes? -
Correct Answer -Lymphatic vessels link the lymph nodes together. Lymph enters through
afferent vessels and exits through efferent vessels.
What is the main function of lymph nodes? What kind of cells do the lymph nodes possess? -
Correct Answer -To filter the lymph passing through. Contains specific defense cells (T and
B cells) and nonspecific defense cells (dendritic cells/macrophages- APCs)
Are lymphatic nodules primary or secondary lymphatic organs? Where are they found and
why are they commonly found there? - Correct Answer -Secondary. They are lymphocytes
packed in connective tissue, found under the epithelium of the respiratory, digestive, and
2
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS UPDATED .
What kind of organisms utilize the specific response? Which utilize the nonspecific response?
- Correct Answer --Specific: Vertebrates
-Nonspecific: vertebrates, non-vertebrates, and plants
Briefly explain how the specific response works. - Correct Answer -Immune cells (which are
equipped with specific receptors) recognize specific pathogens and foreign cells, then triggers
a specific response.
Explain the bank analogy for nonspecific and specific defenses. - Correct Answer --Bank
walls/safe: Keeps robbers from accessing money = non specific response
-Video surveillance camera: identifies specific bank robbers = specific response
What are the three roles of the immune responses? - Correct Answer --Defend against
infections by microbes (bacteria, viruses)
-Immune surveillance: eliminate transformed cells before they cause illness
-Eliminate damaged cells from body
What is the negative/ problematic aspect of the immune responses? - Correct Answer -It can
become overactive. If this happens, it can cause allergies, autoimmune diseases, and
transplant rejection
What are the 2 main functions of the lymphatic system? - Correct Answer -Immunity and
body fluid homeostasis
Where does lymph come from? Explain the term "blind ended capillaries". - Correct Answer
-When blood enters capillaries at the tissue level, only 70% of the fluid that filters out of the
capillaries is reclaimed by osmosis prior to blood entering the vein. That 30% of excess
interstitial fluid is picked up by blind ended (closed at one end) lymphatic capillaries and
enters lymphatic circulation, where it forms lymph.
1
, Briefly explain the flow of lymph through lymphatic vessels. - Correct Answer -The
lymphatic vessels make up a one way circulatory system that delivers lymph from tissue
spaces to larger vessels, which ultimately empty into subclavian veins where lymph rejoins
the blood in systemic circulation. While in route, lymph encounters lymphatic tissues and
organs where it is examined by the immune system.
What are lymphocytes? - Correct Answer -The cells of the specific immune system
What is the main role of primary lymphatic organs? - Correct Answer -Where lymphocytes
are produced and mature
Is bone marrow a primary or secondary lymphatic organ? What occurs here? - Correct
Answer -Primary. Produces all blood cells involved in the specific response (B and T cells).
B cells also mature here.
Is the thymus a primary or secondary lymphatic organ? What occurs here? - Correct Answer -
Primary. T cells mature here.
Are lymph nodes primary or secondary lymphatic organs? Where are they located? - Correct
Answer -Secondary. Widespread throughout the body in clusters in the armpits, groin, chest,
neck, and abdomen.
What distinguishes lymph nodes from lymphatic nodules? - Correct Answer -Lymph nodes
are enclosed by a fibrous capsule and the anterior is divided into partitions. The lymphatic
nodules are less well defined.
What links the lymph nodes together? Where does lymph enter and exit the lymph nodes? -
Correct Answer -Lymphatic vessels link the lymph nodes together. Lymph enters through
afferent vessels and exits through efferent vessels.
What is the main function of lymph nodes? What kind of cells do the lymph nodes possess? -
Correct Answer -To filter the lymph passing through. Contains specific defense cells (T and
B cells) and nonspecific defense cells (dendritic cells/macrophages- APCs)
Are lymphatic nodules primary or secondary lymphatic organs? Where are they found and
why are they commonly found there? - Correct Answer -Secondary. They are lymphocytes
packed in connective tissue, found under the epithelium of the respiratory, digestive, and
2
