University of Central Florida (UCF) PCB3233 Immunology Practice Exam 1

During autoimmunity, the immune system mistakenly attacks self-antigens, which refers to the body's own cells or tissues that are normally recognized as "self." In a healthy immune system, there is a clear differentiation between self and non-self, allowing the immune system to defend against pathogens such as bacteria and viruses while leaving the body's own cells unharmed. However, in autoimmune conditions, this distinction is compromised, leading to an inappropriate immune response.

This misidentification can result in the production of autoantibodies and the activation of immune cells against the body's own proteins, causing inflammation and damage to tissues. Various autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and type 1 diabetes, exemplify this phenomenon where the body targets its own components, resulting in significant health issues.

The other choices describe scenarios where the immune system functions correctly or inappropriately reacts to infections, which do not align with the autoimmune process.