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Learning outcomes for this module as of Fall 2019:
Please note: Those headings with associated teaching tips are underlined, clickable links. However, while this identifies which topics have associated teaching tips, the actual list of teaching tips you click through to include all teaching tips for this module, not only the ones for one particular topic in this module.
Topic from HAPS Guidelines (in bold font)
Learning Outcomes (indented, regular font)
1. General functions of the lymphatic system
1. Describe the major functions of the lymphatic system.
2. Lymph and lymphatic vessels
1. Compare and contrast whole blood, plasma, interstitial fluid, and lymph.
2. Compare and contrast lymphatic vessels and blood vessels in terms of structure and function.
3. Describe the path of lymph circulation.
4. Describe the mechanisms of lymph formation and circulation.
3. Lymphatic cells, tissues, and organs
1. Describe the basic structure and cellular composition of lymphatic tissue and correlate them to the overall functions of the lymphatic system.
2. Describe the structure, function, and major locations of lymphatic nodules (e.g., mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue [MALT], tonsils).
3. Describe the structure, functions, and major locations of the following lymphatic organs: lymph nodes, thymus, and spleen.
4. Introduction to innate (nonspecific) and adaptive (specific) immune responses
1. Compare and contrast innate (nonspecific) with adaptive (specific) defenses.
2. Define immunity and the immune system.
3. Describe the roles of various types of leukocytes in innate (nonspecific) and adaptive immune responses.
4. Explain ways in which the innate (nonspecific) and adaptive (specific) immune responses cooperate to enhance the overall resistance to disease.
5. Innate (nonspecific) defenses
1. Name surface membrane barriers and describe their physical, chemical, and microbiological mechanisms of defense.
2. Define diapedesis, chemotaxis, opsonization, and membrane attack complex, and explain their importance for innate defenses.
3. Describe the steps involved in phagocytosis and provide examples of important phagocytic cells in the body.
4. Describe the functions of natural killer cells.
5. Explain how complement and interferon function as antimicrobial chemicals.
6. Explain the role of pattern-recognition receptors in innate defenses.
7. Describe the mechanisms that initiate inflammation.
8. Summarize the cells and chemicals involved in the inflammatory process.
9. List and explain the causes of the four cardinal signs of inflammation.
10. Explain the benefits of inflammation.
11. Describe the mechanism of fever, including the role of pyrogens.
12. Explain the benefits of fever.
6. Overview of adaptive (specific) immunity
1. Compare and contrast antibody-mediated (humoral) and cell-mediated (cellular) immunity.
2. Describe the immunological memory (anamnestic) response.
7. Antigens and antigen processing
1. Define antigen, self-antigen, and antigen receptor.
2. *Distinguish among complete antigens, haptens, antigenic determinants, and self-antigens.
3. Define major histocompatibility complex (MHC).
4. Describe where class I and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins are found.
5. Explain the functions of class I and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins in adaptive (specific) immunity.
6. State that the genetic code is the source of antigen receptor diversity.
7. Explain the roles of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and provide examples of cells that function as APCs.
8. Lymphocytes and their role in adaptive (specific, acquired) immunity
1. Describe the general structure and functions of the various types of lymphocytes (e.g., helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, regulatory [suppressor] T cells, B cells, plasma cells, memory cells).
2. Define immunocompetence and self tolerance, and distinguish between naive and activated immune cells.
3. Describe where B and T cells originate, and contrast where they attain their immunocompetence.
4. Compare and contrast the primary locations of immunocompetent cells in the body.
5. Compare and contrast the mechanisms of antigen challenge and the clonal selection processes of B and T cells, including effector cells, helper cells, memory cells, and important cytokines.
6. Compare and contrast the defense mechanisms and functions of B and T cells.
7. Describe the contribution of clonal deletion to immunity.
9. Antibodies and their role in adaptive (specific) immunity
1. Describe antibody structure.
2. Describe mechanisms of antibody action and correlate mechanisms with effector functions.
3. Compare and contrast the structure and functions of the classes of antibodies.
4. Interpret a graph of the primary and secondary immune response, in terms of the relative concentrations of different classes of antibodies produced over time.
1. Distinguish between active and passive immunity.
2. Describe natural and artificial examples of both active and passive immunity.
11. Application of homeostatic mechanisms
1. Provide specific examples to demonstrate how the lymphatic system responds to maintain homeostasis in the body.
2. Explain how the lymphatic system relates to other body systems to maintain homeostasis.
12. Predictions related to disruption of homeostasis
1. Given a factor or situation (e.g., elephantiasis), predict the changes that could occur in the lymphatic or immune system and the consequences of those changes (i.e., given a cause, state a possible effect).
2. *Given a disruption in the structure or function of the lymphatic or immune system (e.g., destruction of helper T-cells), predict the possible factors or situations that might have caused that disruption (i.e., given an effect, predict the possible causes).
Note: An asterisk (*) preceding a learning outcome designates it as an optional, advanced learning outcome. The HAPS A&P Comprehensive Exam does not address these optional learning outcomes.