Biology 1001A Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Thyroid Hormones, Aids
Document Summary
Immunodeficiencies immunodeficiencies congenital and acquired conditions in which the production or function of immune cells, phagocytes, or complement is abnormal. severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) syndrome results from genetic defects that produce a b and t cell deficiency. Hodgkin"s disease, cancer of the lymph nodes, is an acquired immunodeficiency. Aids (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) interferes with the activity of helper t (cd4) cells. Caused by the virus hiv (human immunodeficiency virus) which destroys the helper t cells. After invading the cells with a coat glycoprotein gp120 with the help of gp41, hiv uses the enzyme reverse transcriptase to make dna from its viral rna. The dna copy, called a provirus, then inserts into the host dna and directs the synthesis of more hiv cells. Aids is treated by reverse transcriptase inhibitors like azt and protease inhibitors like saquinavir, etc. Combination therapy seemed to be very effective but as of late it is failing in about half the treated patients.
