Immune System Essay

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The Immune System The immune system defends the body against foreign invaders through a sequence of steps known as the immune response. A network of organs, cells and tissues must work together in order to protect the body. The immune response can be divided into innate immunity and adaptive immunity, though these divisions are artificial and the system functions as a single unit. Organs Involved: Above is a diagram of the organs involved in the immune system Lymphocytes travel through the body through blood vessels, or through lymphatic vessels that have a similar structure to veins. Cells and fluids can be exchanged between the blood and the lymphatic system to help the body find microbes. The lymphatic system transports lymph, which contains white blood cells, …show more content…

These cells are leukocytes that unlike phagocytes, are able to attack a specific foreign invader. Adaptive immunity develops once a person comes in contact with specific pathogens, or is vaccinated. Adaptive immunity is further divided into two subgroups: Humoral and cellular immunity. Humoral immunity involves proteins known as antibodies, made by B-lymphocytes. B-lymphocytes are white blood cells that originate and mature in the bone marrow. When a B cell matures, it can recognize a specific antigen, can distinguish the body’s cells from foreign invaders, and when fully mature can produce at least ten thousand unique antibodies. When a B cell comes in contact with an antigen that matches its antibody, it will bind to it and ingest it. Before that B cell produces antibodies, it’s important that it does not produce antibodies against the host’s body. The B-cell must become activated by a a matching helper T Cell that can bind to the B Cell and release cytokines which fully activate the B- Cell. If this does not happen, the B Cell does not produce antibodies, and no immune response

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