The Immune System A simple introduction to the variety of mechanisms used by our bodies to combat disease By Margi Friedman

Why are we interested? Has anyone in the room ever experienced an illness? Has anyone in the room ever experienced an illness? What is an immune system? What is an immune system? What impact does the past study of immunology have on us today? What impact does the past study of immunology have on us today? What possible outcomes could arise from further study of the immune system? What possible outcomes could arise from further study of the immune system?

Immune System Vocabulary Immune System Immune System Immunity Immunity Innate (non-specific) Immunity Innate (non-specific) Immunity Adaptive (specific) Immunity Adaptive (specific) Immunity Antigens Antigens Humoral Immune Response Humoral Immune Response Cell mediated Immune response Cell mediated Immune response Pathogens Pathogens Macrophage Macrophage Phagocytosis Phagocytosis Lymphocytosis Lymphocytosis Lymphocyte Lymphocyte B Lymphocyte B Lymphocyte T Lymphocyte T Lymphocyte Antibodies Antibodies Pathogens Pathogens Macrophage Macrophage Phagocytosis Phagocytosis Lymphocytosis Lymphocytosis Lymphocyte Lymphocyte B Lymphocyte B Lymphocyte T Lymphocyte T Lymphocyte Antibodies Antibodies

Mechanisms of Defense Non-specific Responses: The innate immunity that we are born with. Includes the skin, mucous membranes, tears, saliva, and complement system responsible for inflammation & histamine response. Non-specific Responses: The innate immunity that we are born with. Includes the skin, mucous membranes, tears, saliva, and complement system responsible for inflammation & histamine response. Specific Responses: The immunity we acquire through exposure to antigens. Immunity is acquired through the Humeral response & Cell-mediated response. Specific Responses: The immunity we acquire through exposure to antigens. Immunity is acquired through the Humeral response & Cell-mediated response.

Non-specific Responses

Non Specific Response Compliment System Inflammatory Response Increases Blood flow to the area which strengthens immune response. Complement Protein s Imbed In Plasma Membrane of Attacker Salt enters cell of attacker-water follows-cell bursts=attacker killed. Surface of attacker Tagged for Phagocytosis Phagocytes eat attacker cells.

Non-Specific Response Mast Cells Activated tent/inflammatory.html tent/inflammatory.html tent/inflammatory.html tent/inflammatory.html

Specific (Acquired) Response Humoral and Cell Mediated Human + Antigen Cell mediated Immune Response T-lyphocytes= T Helper cell activity T-lyphocytes= Cytotoxic T cell activity Humoral Immune Response B-lyphocytes= antibody activity

How are we doing so far? SShare of the differences between specific and non-specific immunity? HHow many people in the class have had an immunization? HHow does vaccination work? AAn assessment of what you know is a click away. Click on the document on the bottom right to open an assessment of what we’ve learned so far.

The Humoral response creates Antibodies So, how do antibodies work? B-lyphocytes interact with antigens to trigger the production of Antibody-secreting plasma cells. B-lyphocyte + Antigen Antibody- secreting plasma cell Antigen elimination

Pathogen/Antigen A pathogen is the microorganism capable of producing disease A pathogen is the microorganism capable of producing disease An antigen is the protein on the surface of a pathogen that our bodies recognize as a foreign substance & triggers our immune system to respond. An antigen is the protein on the surface of a pathogen that our bodies recognize as a foreign substance & triggers our immune system to respond. There are two main classifications of pathogens that we will look at: Bacteria & Viruses There are two main classifications of pathogens that we will look at: Bacteria & Viruses

How vaccination works The immune system is exposed to an antigen in a form that it can easily combat. The immune system is exposed to an antigen in a form that it can easily combat. This exposure triggers the Humoral response and activates B-Lymphocytes to begin a process that results in antibody production and memory of the antigen exposure. This exposure triggers the Humoral response and activates B-Lymphocytes to begin a process that results in antibody production and memory of the antigen exposure. A cellular memory is created so the body can quickly respond with huge amounts of antibody should that antigen show up again. A cellular memory is created so the body can quickly respond with huge amounts of antibody should that antigen show up again.

Do you feel vaccination should be a requirement for everyone?

When the Immune System isn’t enough Medical treatment options exist as a result of years of research and development into our immune systems. Medical treatment options exist as a result of years of research and development into our immune systems. What are some of the effective treatments you’ve heard of in regards to various diseases? What are some of the effective treatments you’ve heard of in regards to various diseases? Do you think someone with a compromised immune system, or an immune system that doesn’t operate very well, should receive vaccinations? Do you think someone with a compromised immune system, or an immune system that doesn’t operate very well, should receive vaccinations?

What about people with compromised immune systems? People with immune systems that are compromised (for example a person with AIDS), are not able to generate an effective response because of the fact their B- lymphocyte cells, or T-lymphocyte cells are either absent or ineffective. People with immune systems that are compromised (for example a person with AIDS), are not able to generate an effective response because of the fact their B- lymphocyte cells, or T-lymphocyte cells are either absent or ineffective.

So much more to Immunology! This is a very brief introduction to how our immune systems work. This is a very brief introduction to how our immune systems work. Next up- Textbook reading Next up- Textbook reading You get to do a project, stay tuned for more information! You get to do a project, stay tuned for more information!

References Alcano, Edward. Biology Coloring Book. New York: Random House Print Alcano, Edward. Biology Coloring Book. New York: Random House Print Mackessy, Carol. Single Subject Test Preparation Biology/Life Science. Prepared for Orange County Dept. of Education. Study guide in Print Mackessy, Carol. Single Subject Test Preparation Biology/Life Science. Prepared for Orange County Dept. of Education. Study guide in Print

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