Immunology Worksheet

A Read and fill the gaps.

The principal role of the immune system _____(1) to defend the body against possible infections by
discriminating between self and non-self. The immune system has evolved over millions of years to
respond and destroy any organisms _____(2) have gained entry into the body.
The complexity of immune systems generally mirrors evolutionary history: more 'primitive' organisms
possess immune systems composed ____(3) discrete, general purpose, effector cells and molecules;
more 'advanced' organisms have developed organs and tissues ____(4) a specific immune purpose. A
key part of Immunology involves studying ____ (5) the many different organs, cells and molecules of
the immune system work and interact ____ (6) each other.
____(7) broad terms, the earlier form of the immune system is known ____ (8) the 'innate' immune
system, and is found in a wide range of organisms (including invertebrates and primitive
vertebrates); the later form is known as the 'adaptive' immune system and is common to higher
vertebrates (including humans).

Specifically:
  * The innate immune system includes natural barriers to infection, _____(9) as skin and cells
lining the mouth, as well as the effector cells and molecules
  * The adaptive immune system includes specialised cells, organs and tissues _____ (10) are
responsible for reacting to a specific foreign substance

B Answer these questions:

1 What is the major role of the immune system?

2 Describe the difference between the ‘primitive’ and ‘advanced’ immune systems.


C Read the text again and find synonyms for the following terms:

1 distinguish, tell apart

2 develop

3 particular

4 have an effect on one another

5 an obstacle


Allergy

A Lead-in

1 Are you allergic to anything?

2 What kinds of allergy do you know?

3 What do you know about allergies?


B Affinity diagram. Put these terms into appropriate categories.




C Listen and fill the missing words.

1 An allergy is an __________ to a normally harmless substance called an allergen

2 On first _________, the inhaled allergen enters the mucous membrane lining the nasal __________,
where it is taken up by the antigen-presenting cell which presents it to the T-cells. These T-cells
activate the B-cells to release ____________ called IgE antibodies against the allergen.

3 These IgE antibodies sit on the ___________ of the mast cells. The mast cells have granules
______________ chemical mediators like histamine and prostaglandins etc.

4 On exposure, the allergen _______________ to the IgE antibodies present on the mast cells,
cross-linking them. This results in the ________________ of histamine, prostaglandins and other
mediators into the surrounding tissue.

5 These mediators cause dilation of the surrounding _________________ vessels and increase their
permeability. This results in the nasal _______________, sneezing and mucous discharge of allergic
rhinitis.

6 Antihistamines work by _________________ the action of histamine at its receptors and thus
________________ the body’s reaction to the allergen


Grammar point – Indirect speech