BIOL A107 Lecture Notes - Foreplay, Antibody
Document Summary
A virus a nucleic acid (dna or rna) enclosed in a protein shell or coat. Viruses are extremely small, approximately 15 - 25 nanometers in diameter. They can reproduce only by invading and taking over other cells as they lack the cellular machinery for self reproduction. These chemicals cause blood vessels to leak fluid into the tissues, causing swelling. This helps isolate the foreign substance from further contact with body tissues. Interleukins: these tell the body it"s under attack. These give you the aches and pains. Leukocytes: white blood cells (made in bone marrow) Lymphocytes: cells that remember the invaders and help the body destroy them if they come back: b-cells, t-cells. Dendritic cells: these cells function to obtain antigen in tissues, they then migrate to lymphoid organs and activate t cells: antibodies cling to virus making it difficult to attach to cell. Immunity: your immune system is now familiar with the invaders and can summon antibodies quickly.
