Toll like receptor pathway : Watch a cartoon

Ever thought immunology is so complex? Why don't you put your imagination into a cartoon and remeber the complexities of innate immunity better? The innate immune system is an ancient host defense mechanism found in almost every multicellular organism from plants to humans. In invertebrates it is the sole mechanism of defense against pathogens but in higher vertebrates constitutes the first line of defense. The role of the innate immune system is not an insignificant one; not only must it discriminate between self and non-self as well as distinguish between pathogenic and non-pathogenic microbes, it also plays an important role in triggering and optimizing the adaptive immune response. This remarkable system allows an immediate non-specific response against microorganisms whereas the adaptive immunity mounts a specific response against the invading pathogen during the late phase of the infection.

Functions of Interlukins

Remember the picture above: List the food items in order from left to right - Hot Tea, Mutton bone, EGG - All these go Into An OESophagus.
Now here are the functions:
IL-1 : Pyrogen (Hot)
IL-2 : Stimulates "T" cell (Tea)
IL-3 : Mutton BONE (BONE Marrow)
IL-4 : Stimulates IgE and IgG (EGG)
IL-5 : Stimulates synthesis of IgA and OESinophils (Into An OESophagus)

Interactive Microbiology, Genetics for better memory

Ever thought Neuroscience, DNA, RNA, Karyotyping, ELISA test, stem cells, immunology, genetics etc are tough topics. Well, if you want to make these topics easier and remember them better go to http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/index.html
This site has lots of downloads - videos, lectures, pdfs etc in these topics. Do check out all the topics. There is a virtual lab, where you can do ELISA for SLE, Identify bacteria using PCR and all those advanced techniques. (Please make sure that you have the latest version of shockwave flash). Virtual classroom lectures help in easy learning. Many do and learns help you to remember better.

Active and passive immunity

When you take a vaccine, which immunity do you get - Active or passive ?

Passive because you Payfor the vaccine, get Pricked and it's Painful.

Immunoglobulins

The immunoglobulins are IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, IgD ( Remember GAMED )

First Immunoglobulin to appear is IgM - iMMediate

Immunoglobulin with Maximum Molecular weight - IgM = Millionaire molecule; Also, Maximum sedimentation coifficient is for IgM

IgA Activates Alternative complement pathway

Major serum immunoglobulin is IgG - maGor

IgG crosses placenta ( Gestation )

MHCs

MHC-I associated with CD8 and MHC-II associated with CD4 ( Remember I x 8 = II x 4 )