Question

Investigate the different parts of the human immune system and explain which cells/products of innate and adaptive immunity are responsible for recognizing antigens on the surface of T. brucei and clearing the parasite. What would happen if T. brucei suddenly loss the ability to undergo antigenic variation? If researchers developed a drug that could prevent T. brucei from undergoing antigenic variation, do you think it could be successful in eradicating African Sleeping Sickness? Would the drug have to be administered at a certain point before or after infection in order to be helpful? Based on the similarities and differences you identified earlier between T. brucei, P. falciparum, and T. cruzi, you predict that P. falciparum and T. cruszi undergo similar antigenic variation? Why or why not?

Answer 1

• Immune system is necessary to fight with so many foreign particles which enter the body.
• Immunity is either innate immunity, cell mediated immunity and humoral immunity.
• Immunity is either natural or acquired immunity.
• Innate immunity is the resistance shown by physical barriers such as skin, mucous, gastrointestinal tract and lungs. Chemicals such as lysozyme, tears, digestive enzymes, bile acids etc., play role in natural innate immunity.
• Humoral immunity is due to B cells which mediate production of antibodies against antigens.
• Cell mediated immunity is due to cytotoxic T-cells which lyse the antigens through phagocytosis, and cell mediated immunity do not involve antibodies.
• White blood cells within the body help to attack on the foreign antigens.
• Lymphatic system carries nutrients, waste materials through lymph fluid which get transported between the blood stream and body tissues.
• Lymphatic system possesses lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels.
• Thymus gets involved in T-cell formation....
• Tonsils plays important role in identifying the foreign antigens for their destruction.
• A spleen gland filters the blood and differentiates T cell and B cell.
• Bone marrow gets involved in production of B cells.