Immune System
Major Functions
Lymphatic System- The primary function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph, a clear, colorless fluid containing white blood cells that helps rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials.
Immune System- Protects against disease or other potentially damaging foreign bodies. When functioning properly, the immune system identifies a variety of threats, including viruses, bacteria and parasites, and distinguishes them from the body's own healthy tissue
Thymus- The thymus serves a vital role in the training and development of T-lymphocytes or T-cells, an extremely important type of white blood cells.
Leukocytes- Leukocytes are a body's army of soldiers and are a part of our immune system. They not only fight the germs that cause disease and infections, they strive to protect us against any foreign agent that appears to be a threat.
Antibodies- They bind directly to antigens, effectively coating the surface of the invader, in order to prevent pathogens from entering or damaging healthy body cells.
Spleen- It acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system.
Lymph Nodes- Act as filters for foreign particles and cancer cells.
B-cells and T-cells
T-Cells
Primary Immune Response and Secondary Immune Response
Primary Immune Response- The primary immune response occurs the first time that the immune system comes in contact with the antigen. During this time the immune system has to learn to recognize antigen and how to make antibody against it and eventually gain immunological memory. This primary response takes time (about two weeks) and during this time the person experiences signs of illness. IgM antibodies are the hallmark of a new infection because they are the first antibodies made when a person is exposed to an antigen for the first time. After the body learns to make IgM antibodies, it will start making IgG antibodies to the antigen.
Secondary Immune Response- The secondary immune response occurs the second time the person is exposed to the same antigen. At this point immunological memory has been established and the immune system can start making antibodies immediately. The antigen usually is killed within minutes and the person is not aware that he/she was attacked. The antibodies in this response are IgG and IgA or (in the case of allergy IgE).
In primary the body is first exposed to an antigen and the lymphocyte is activated. In secondary the same antigen is encountered at a later time. It is faster and greater magnitude.
Vaccinations
A vaccine contains a killed or weakened part of a germ that is responsible for infection. Because the germ has been killed or weakened before it is used to make the vaccine, it can not make the person sick. When a person receives a vaccine, the body reacts by making protective substances called "antibodies". The antibodies are the body's defenders because they help to kill off the germs that enter the body. In other words, vaccines expose people safely to germs, so that they can become protected from a disease but not come down with the disease.
Diseases prevented by Vaccines
How it works with other Systems
Circulatory System- The circulatory system consists of the blood vessels and heart and is a major pathway used by immune cells to travel through the body.
Digestive System- The digestive system is critical to proper immune function. The GALT, including the tonsils and appendix, are locations where the body deciphers which foreign substances are food and which are pathogens, helping to create normal immune function.
Lymphatic System- The primary function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph, a clear, colorless fluid containing white blood cells that helps rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials.
Immune System- Protects against disease or other potentially damaging foreign bodies. When functioning properly, the immune system identifies a variety of threats, including viruses, bacteria and parasites, and distinguishes them from the body's own healthy tissue
Thymus- The thymus serves a vital role in the training and development of T-lymphocytes or T-cells, an extremely important type of white blood cells.
Leukocytes- Leukocytes are a body's army of soldiers and are a part of our immune system. They not only fight the germs that cause disease and infections, they strive to protect us against any foreign agent that appears to be a threat.
Antibodies- They bind directly to antigens, effectively coating the surface of the invader, in order to prevent pathogens from entering or damaging healthy body cells.
Spleen- It acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system.
Lymph Nodes- Act as filters for foreign particles and cancer cells.
B-cells and T-cells
T-Cells
- They are responsible for cell mediated immunity
- Life span is long
- Diffrentiate inside Thymus Gland
- Absence of surface antibodies
- Transformed in small lymphocytes by antigens
- They secrete Lyphokines
- Their sub population are Cytotoxic T cells, Helper cells and suppressor cells
- They stimulate phagocytes and B-cells into activity
- They are responsible for Humoral immunity
- Life span is short
- Differentiate inside the bone marrow
- Surface antibodies present
- Transformed to plasma cells by antigens
- They secrete antibodies
- Their sub population are memory cells and plasma cells
- B-cells or B-lymphocytes produce antibodies
Primary Immune Response and Secondary Immune Response
Primary Immune Response- The primary immune response occurs the first time that the immune system comes in contact with the antigen. During this time the immune system has to learn to recognize antigen and how to make antibody against it and eventually gain immunological memory. This primary response takes time (about two weeks) and during this time the person experiences signs of illness. IgM antibodies are the hallmark of a new infection because they are the first antibodies made when a person is exposed to an antigen for the first time. After the body learns to make IgM antibodies, it will start making IgG antibodies to the antigen.
Secondary Immune Response- The secondary immune response occurs the second time the person is exposed to the same antigen. At this point immunological memory has been established and the immune system can start making antibodies immediately. The antigen usually is killed within minutes and the person is not aware that he/she was attacked. The antibodies in this response are IgG and IgA or (in the case of allergy IgE).
In primary the body is first exposed to an antigen and the lymphocyte is activated. In secondary the same antigen is encountered at a later time. It is faster and greater magnitude.
Vaccinations
A vaccine contains a killed or weakened part of a germ that is responsible for infection. Because the germ has been killed or weakened before it is used to make the vaccine, it can not make the person sick. When a person receives a vaccine, the body reacts by making protective substances called "antibodies". The antibodies are the body's defenders because they help to kill off the germs that enter the body. In other words, vaccines expose people safely to germs, so that they can become protected from a disease but not come down with the disease.
Diseases prevented by Vaccines
- Chickenpox
- Diphethria
- Hepatitis A
How it works with other Systems
Circulatory System- The circulatory system consists of the blood vessels and heart and is a major pathway used by immune cells to travel through the body.
Digestive System- The digestive system is critical to proper immune function. The GALT, including the tonsils and appendix, are locations where the body deciphers which foreign substances are food and which are pathogens, helping to create normal immune function.