Guiding Questions
- What is the immune system?
- What are the components of the immune system?
- What are the functions of the immune system?
- What are some common diseases related to the immune system?
Overview
In chess, every piece from the pawn to the queen is sworn to protect the king. Each has a different role and function in the game.
Similarly, the immune system is a group of organs, cells, and molecules that help defend your body from pathogens, sicknesses, and injuries in their own unique ways.
Immune System Organs and Tissues
There are various organs and tissues that help protect and heal the body.
The spleen helps filter the blood and produce white blood cells. White blood cells come in many forms. Each form functions in a specific unique way. Their main job is to fight off invaders that enter the body.
Lymph nodes filter lymph, a fluid secreted by muscles that carries waste, immune cells, and nutrients. Lymph nodes are also integral to the lymphatic system.
The bone marrow, which is the tissue found in the bones, makes B-cells. A B-cell is a type of white blood cell which is important for making antibodies.
The thymus produces T-cells, which are another type of white blood cell. T-cells release toxins that help kill foreign pathogens.
The skin, also part of the integumentary system, acts as the first line of defense against pathogens. It protects inner organs by preventing the entry of invaders into the body.
Tonsils and adenoids in the throat trap invaders that try to enter through the nasal or oral cavities.
Lastly, the mucosa membrane protects most organs, cavities, and tissues throughout the body. It consists of 3 different layers. The mucus it secretes is what pathogens get stuck in while trying to enter.
The Role of Proteins
Proteins are actually a key part of the immune system. Below are a few of the most important ones.
Antibodies are produced by B-cells. They attach to invaders and kill them, helping protect the body by doing so.
Cytokines are the messengers between the immune cells. They help tell immune cells what exactly to do to protect the body.
The complement system is a network of proteins that work together to defend and protect the body.
What is an Immune Response?
An immune response is your body’s way of fighting antigens. Antigens are proteins found on any harmful substance such as a virus, bacterium, or fungus. Other harmful substances such as chemicals, toxins, etc. can be antigens as well.
Getting an immune response can help you gain acquired immunity, or immunity to something after you have been exposed to it. People often try to get acquired immunity through vaccines, which exposes them to a certain foreign pathogen in small, weak amounts.
On the other hand, innate immunity is immunity which you are born with.
Common Diseases
There are many diseases or conditions that can affect the immune system.
Allergies happen when the body’s immune system tries defending against something that is harmless.
Similarly, autoimmune disease is when the body’s immune system attacks cells from its own body.
Infections occur when any pathogen invades and replicates within the body. The immune system may be able to fight it off; however, sometimes it can require medication or an alternative treatment.
When the immune system doesn’t work properly due to genetics, you have what is called primary immunodeficiency disorders. This makes it hard for the body to fight against infections.
Some conditions can’t be treated, but they can be helped. The best thing to do to preserve the body is to maintain proper hygiene and make sure to get regular checkups with the doctor.
Review
- What does bone marrow make? B-cells
- What does the thymus make? T-cells
- What does the mucosa secrete? Mucus
- What type of immunity is gained after exposure to a certain thing? Acquired Immunity
- What kind of immunity is a person born with? Innate Immunity
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