Immune system

what is the Immune system primary role?

Protect and defend the body against invasion by pathogens.

Organs assisting the immune system

Spleen, thymus, and bone marrow.

pathogen

causes disease in a host.

Types of pathogens

Viruses, bacteria, fungi, protists.

disease

Any disruption of homeostasis causing specific symptoms

Definition of superbugs

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (e.g., MRSA) developed through natural selection.

Disease treatments

Antibiotics (bacteria), rest, fluids, balanced diet.

Antibiotics purpose

Kill or weaken bacteria; ineffective against viruses.

Examples of nonspecific defenses

Skin, mucus, cilia, tears, stomach acid.

Immune response actions

Fever increases temperature; inflammation increases WBC access.

inflammation

Expands blood vessels to increase white blood cell access.

Mechanism of allergies

Release of histamines causing inflammation.

Severe allergy example

Anaphylactic shock.

White blood cell names

Lymphocytes, leukocytes, phagocytes.

White blood cell function

Seek out and destroy pathogens.

T cell function

Recognize, attack pathogens, display antigens after engulfing.

Purpose of antigens

Help immune system identify and target pathogens.

antibodies _____

attach to antigens on pathogens/prevent pathogen

Active immunity

Body produces its own antibodies through infection or vaccination.

Passive immunity

Body receives antibodies from external source.

HIV definition

Human Immunodeficiency Virus; attacks white blood cells and mutates easily.

AIDS

.immune deficiency caused by HIV

The human immune system consists of______

the innate immune system (nonspecific, first-line defenses like skin, mucus, stomach acid) and the adaptive (specific) immune system

what is not considered a pathogen?

Biofilm

What are T cells produced by?

thymus

If a _____ has seen an antigen, they start producing mass antibodies.

B cell

What is considered an indirect transmission of diseases?

Coughing & Sneezing

vector

Method by which a pathogen is transmitted to humans

histamines

chemicals released by immune cells that are heavily involved in the inflammatory response.

what is a specific defense?

white blood cells

Pasteur’s experiment led to _____ which hypothesized that many diseases are caused by biological agents.

germ theory