1. Immune System
Chapter 40

2. Functions: Defends against pathogens and disease Includes:
Skin & mucus membranes
White blood cells
Lymph nodes and vessels

3. Nonspecific Defenses First line of nonspecific defense:
Skin & Mucus membranes
Layers of epithelial tissue that produce mucus
Line the digestive system, nasal passages, lungs, respiratory passages, and the reproductive tract
Second line of nonspecific defenses:
Inflammatory response – histamine (increase blood flow)
Temperature response
White blood Cells

4. Immune Response – Specific Defenses
Antibody – defensive protein produced upon exposure to a specific antigen – substance that illicits an immune response

5. Disorders of the Immune System
Autoimmune disease – the body launches an immune response against its own cells, attacking body cells as if they were pathogens.
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Rheumatoid arthitis
Lupus
Type I diabetes