Immune System Levels of Organization and Functions

Flashcards covering the emergent properties and homeostatic functions of the immune system at the organ system, tissue, and molecular levels, as well as key blood and immune cell definitions.

What is the emergent property of the immune system at the organ system level?

It has a memory, allowing it to know if you had the flu like 4 years ago, whereas an individual cell or organ would not.

How does the immune system organ system help the body maintain homeostasis?

It continuously patrols the entire body knowing what healthy cells look like, and immediately flags non-belonging items (such as a virus, splinter, or harmful bacteria) to be removed before damage occurs.

What is the emergent property of bone marrow tissue?

The tissue has rapid learning, meaning a single cell that spots a germ can quickly find and activate the exact matching "soldier" cell out of millions of options.

How do local immune cells in tissue restore homeostasis when you get hurt?

They temporarily change the body's balance to boost blood flow, clean up the wound, and grow new tissue, ultimately restoring homeostasis once the injury is healed.

What emergent property occurs when millions of antibody molecules work together?

They create a chemical communication network that can pass messages across the body and warn it for threats.

How do antibody molecules help maintain homeostasis against viruses and toxins?

They hook onto and block the little "keys" that viruses and toxins use to break into cells, preventing them from unlocking or hurting healthy cells.

What are hematopoietic stem cells?

Special cells in your body that grow and turn into all your different types of blood cells.

What is the primary function of red blood cells?

They carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.

What role do white blood cells play in the body?

They form a vital part of the body's immune system by fighting off infections, viruses, bacteria, and foreign invaders.

What are platelets?

Cell fragments in your blood that stick together to form clots and stop bleeding.

What is a protein (protien)?

A large, essential biological molecule made of long chains of building blocks called amino acids.

What is the function of B cells?

They recognize foreign invaders (such as bacteria and viruses) and produce specialized proteins called antibodies to destroy or neutralize them.

What are foreign antigens?

Any substance—such as a protein or sugar—from outside the body that the immune system recognizes as "non-self" and uses to trigger an immune response.