CH. 10 Defense against Infectious Disease

Defense against Pathogens God has wonderfully equipped the human body to resist disease Our body’s system of defenses is a solid testimony against evolution  Defenses could not have developed over long periods of time; we would all be dead God has also given man resources and an innovative mind to develop medicines and therapy to overcome pathogens

Foreign Invaders Called Pathogens VViruses, bacteria or other living things that cause disease/immune response. Antigens TToxins that pathogens produce that cause harm to an organism.

3 Types of Defense Structural Defenses Nonspecific Defenses Specific Defenses

Structural Defense First Line of Defense The Skin Provides Physical and Chemical barriers PPhysical – ttough dead cells, made of indigestible keratin, and other layers of tightly packed cells CChemical – ttears ssweat mmucous linings SStomach acid

Structural Defenses Natural “Flora”  These are bacteria that live in our intestines and benefit us by breaking down some of our food and providing nutrients  These non-pathogenic organisms occupy the areas in our GI tract that pathogens would like to occupy if they could  However, certain antibiotics could destroy this natural flora and leave the intestines vulnerable to pathogenic invasion

Second Line of Defense – Nonspecific Immune Response Should a pathogen get past the skin… These are defenses the body uses no matter what the invader may be. These defenses include: IIIInflammation - caused by release of Histamine from leukocytes FFever The fever (high temp) kills invaders by inhibiting their growth. Boosts chemical reactions that are needed to activate the 3 rd line of defense SSwelling – caused by fluid moving into damaged area Fever and swelling can also cause – redness to occur PPhagocytosis – done by Macrophages* *Macrophage: A phagocytic cell found in the liver, spleen, brain and lungs. Travels to all areas of the body to find and eat pathogens.

Third Line of Defense - Specific Immune Response If pathogens make it past the first 2 lines of defense then… A specific response to a pathogen/antigen has begun by the I II IMMUNE SYSTEM TThe system in the body responsible for maintaining homeostasis by recognizing harmful from non-harmful organisms and produces an appropriate response.

Parts of the Immune System 1. Blood - White Blood Cells in particular. 2. Lymph nodes 3. Thymus Gland – Produces T Lymphocytes 4. Bone Marrow – Produces B Lymphocytes

Immune Response The immune system has 2 main components: CChemicals called a aa antibodies SSeveral kinds of s ss special cells, each with a specific job Antibodies are small “Y” shaped chemicals that circulate the body and attach to different pathogens and antigens

The Pathway of Specific Immune Response Pathogens Pathogens eaten by Macrophage Displays portion of Pathogen on surface Helper-T cell recognizes Pathogen Step 1Step 2 Step 3

What is Immunity?

Immunity Immunity Immunity  The ability of the body to fight infection and/or foreign invaders by producing antibodies or killing infected cells. After defeating a certain pathogen/infection, cells in the immune system develop a “ ““ “chemical memory” so that if that pathogen ever invades again, the immune response will begin almost immediately

Primary.vs. Secondary Immune Response

Autoimmune Disease Autoimmune diseases are diseases where the immune system begins to attack itself.  Ex:  Rheumatoid Arthritis – crippling disease of the joints.  Lupus – disease of blood and organs.  Multiple Sclerosis – disease of nervous system Cause(s):unknown Cures/Treatments: No known cures. Usually treated with drugs.

Medical Control of Disease Sometimes, despite the awesomeness of our body’s defense, physicians may prescribe various chemicals to help Chemotherapy Chemotherapy – the use of chemical agents to treat or prevent disease  Antibiotics  Antiviral drugs  Antihistamines  vaccines

Antibiotics Antibiotics (“against – life”) – are chemicals designed to either destroy or disrupt the metabolic pathways of bacteria or other living pathogens BBactericidal (killing bacteria) BBacteriostatic (inhibiting the growth of bacteria) Antibiotics were discovered by accident by an English bacteriologist named Sir Alexander Fleming in 1929 HHe came back to his lab from vacation and notice a mold growing in the middle of a petri dish culture and a ring around the mold were no bacteria grew HHe called the chemical produced by the Penicillium mold penicillin

Common antibiotics:  Penicillin and cephalosporin – inhibit synthesis of cell wall components  Erythromycin and tetracycline – interfere with protein synthesis  Rifampin – inhibits RNA synthesis Unfortunately, antibiotics are often not very specific in which bacteria they kill broad-spectrum antibiotics  These are called broad-spectrum antibiotics

Antibiotic Resistance After penicillin was discovered, physicians started using antibiotics as a “cure-all” for any and every type of infection  For a time, it worked naturally resistance Unfortunately, once the populations of pathogens killed by antibiotics, the pathogens that were naturally resistance began to thrive Now, scientists work to create antibiotics that are more specific to certain pathogens are more careful to regulate dosages and strength

Allergies Allergy - An exaggerated response by the immune system to an allergen. Allergen: a normally harmless substance that causes an allergic reaction. ex: dust, pollen, mold, food, insect stings Types of Allergic reactions There are two types of allergic reactions. a. Immediate – occurs within seconds and normally lasts for about 30 minutes b. Delayed – takes longer to react and can last for a much longer time

What happens during an allergic reaction? During an allergic reaction antibodies cause histamines to be released from certain cells. Histamines cause: a. Swelling of tissues b. Release of fluids (runny noses and eyes) c. muscle spasms (some cases) Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock: This is the sudden and severe allergic reaction to a substance that can cause death. Treatments for Allergies 1. Avoidance of material – especially food. 2. Epinephrine – “epi – pen” 3. Antihistamines -- benadryl

What causes allergies??? “Hygiene Hypothesis”  Developed countries like the US and Europe have more people who suffer from allergies than life-threatening diseases like parasitic worm infections, smallpox, viral outbreaks  This hypothesis says that with improvements in sanitation, health care, and hygiene, we are reducing or even eliminating our exposure to many microbes and parasites immune systems are responding to SOMETHING (allergens) in order to keep itself ready

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