Learning Check! Answer the following question on a piece of paper, then hand it in. What did you notice about the fake snot yesterday? How is real snot important to your immune system?

Factors that Affect the Immune System

vaccines Vaccines = weakened version of pathogen that are given to people to protect them from getting the disease later Vaccines allow the body to create antibodies against the disease. Boosters are needed for some vaccines to extend the immune system’s memory

immune system disorders Allergies An allergy is an unusually high sensitivity to some substance Any substance that causes an allergic reaction is called an allergen Common allergens are: milk, pollen, and dust

immune system disorders Allergies Body releases chemical called histamine to fight allergen Common symptoms include a runny nose and watery eyes Severe allergies can cause an anaphylactic shock

immune system disorders AIDS – Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome AIDS is caused by a virus called HIV HIV attacks the immune system by infecting Helper T Cells. When other pathogens or antigens enter the body the immune system can’t activate Killer T cells or B cells. AIDS is transmitted by blood and semen.

Taking care of your immune system

Card Combinations Card Combination Action (e.g. B cell rotavirus + gut cell) target cell can no longer be infected (put a paper clip, or antibody, on the card) (e.g. rotavirus + gut cell) target cell infected (draw a dot on card, once three dots are on the card it is removed from play) virus + antibody protected target cell target cell remains in play, virus card removed from play virus + non-target cell no action killer T cell + uninfected cell (e.g. killer T cell rotavirus + rotavirus infected gut cell) infected target cell removed from play