1. Protecting the Body

2. The human body is a fascinating “system of systems
The human body is a fascinating “system of systems.” All of these systems must work together to keep the body operating properly. Most of the time they work well and the body functions as it should. There are, however, environmental conditions and other organisms that can negatively affect how the body functions. Micro-organisms, such as bacteria, that cause diseases are referred to as pathogens.
Pathogen = any micro-organism that causes a disease

3. If pathogens are able to enter the body, they either interfere directly with cells or tissues, produce toxins (poisonous chemicals) that can affect the normal functioning of the body. Fortunately, the body has developed a number of ways to defend itself from invasion by foreign organisms and their toxins.

4. The Primary Defence System

5. The body’s first line of defence is the skin
its function is to keep foreign invaders outside the body
it cannot normally be penetrated by bacteria or viruses unless it is broken
the skin produces natural acidic oils and sweat that prevents micro-organisms from growing

6. Did you know...
That the skin is the largest organ of the body with a surface area of about 2 m2. The top layer of skin cells is constantly being replaced by new cells, so you have an entirely new skin about every month!

7. Where the skin leads to the inside of the body, such as in the mouth, nose, eye, and ears, the body has other physical barriers that prevents invaders from entering.
Hair
tiny hairs filter out dust, dirt, and micro-organisms that are in the air
Ear Wax
waxy material that traps any foreign particles and micro-organisms that enter

8. Mucus
Found in the mouth, nose, and throat
Sticky substance that acts like flypaper
Removed by coughing or swallowing
4.Tears
Contain a special chemical that kills bacteria
Gastric Juices
Micro-organisms that sneak past the throat will be destroyed by the strong acid in the stomach

9. Did you know... Men have more nose hair than women
That not all people’s ear wax is the same. Ear wax can be gray, yellow, pumpkin-coloured, or brown. It can also be moist or dry
In a year, you are likely to shed about 4 L of tears
When you sneeze, the air (and mucus) inside your nose hurtles out at a speed of over 100km/hr
You recycle about 1 L of mucus per day by swallowing

10. The Secondary Defence System

11. The body’s second line of defence are the white blood cells
The body’s second line of defence are the white blood cells. When invading organisms enter the body through a break in the skin, special white blood cells move from the bloodstream to the injured area. These white blood cells detect, capture, and destroy invading organisms just like lysosomes.
Lets take a look at how white blood cells work…

12. Invaders release a chemical that signals the Secondary Defence System
This chemical signal causes increased blood flow to the injured area and attracts special white blood cells

13. The white blood cells engulf and digest the invaders

14. The body can then heal the tissues in the injured area

15. The remaining fragments of dead white blood cells and digested invaders are called pus. The presence of pus is a sure sign that the second line of defence is working.

16. The Tertiary Defence System

17. Although the two lines of defence are generally successful in protecting the body, they are not always able to stop the invasion. For example, micro-organisms can enter the body in food or water (e.g. E. Coli). They can also be transmitted by insect bites (e.g. Malaria & West Nile virus). When a pathogen does get past the first two lines of defence, the body’s tertiary defence system (the Immune System) is called into action.

18. all foreign organisms produce a chemical called an antigen
this antigen causes the production of a specific antibody that attaches only to this antigen

19. toxins attach to receptor sites on cells and interfere with normal functions
antibodies also attack toxins preventing them from attaching to the cell

20. The use of antibodies to fight a pathogen is called an immune response
The use of antibodies to fight a pathogen is called an immune response. In many cases, the first exposure to a pathogen causes the body to produce its own antibodies, which protect the body against any future attacks by the same pathogen. In other cases, temporary or permanent immunity is achieved by vaccination.
Vaccine = an old or weakened version of a pathogen