NOTES THURSDAY 1/25/2007

some groups of streptococci break down red blood cells (beta homolysis).

same epitopes are found on unrelated antigens (nonself <--> self)

group A strep synonymous with s. pyogenes.

serology- involves using antibodies to study a certain phenomenon or group of organisms. the study of serum.

Strep A causes Puerperal Fever generally during childbirth. 

granluoma- cluster of lymphocytes. granulomas is a sign of massive inflammation involving adaptive immunity (lymphocytes). chronic event. indicative of rheumatic fever/heart disease.

granulomas need to have B cells, T cells, and antigen presenting cells.

molecular mimicry gives explanation for blood typing.

tolerance causes person with A blood type not to make Anti-A antibody. 

blood antibodies tend to be IgM and strep A to be IgG.

use ESR to determine intense inflammation going on somewhere.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT:
what causes the change in the sedimentation rate.

titre- dilutions. 

NSAID- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

aspirin hits prostaglandin synthesis.

steroids affect the activity of lymphocytes. downgrade T-cell responses. 

c-reactive protein- acute-phase protein. find whether or not inflammation is in progress.

END CASE STUDY 1- RHEUMATIC FEVER

DNA is an amalgamation of all the genes within a cell. 

gene- functional unit of DNA that codes for a polypeptide.

DNA is sequence of nucleotides whereas protein is sequence of amino acids.

hybridize - anneal - base pair.

RNA molecule hybridizes with itself to form basic (tertiary) structures.

RNA can catalyze reactions. 

ribosome goes from 5' to 3' on mRNA

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