Immune System

immune system

body system that fights pathogens

macrophages

white blood cells that engulf (or surround) microorganisms and destroys them

phagocytosis

process by which a white blood cell engulfs a microorganism

B-Cell

white blood cells that produce antibodies

antibodies

proteins produced by B-cells that recognize and bind to specific antigens

antigen

proteins on the surface of a pathogen that stimulate an immune response

T-Cell

coordinates the immune system and attacks infected cells

helper T-Cell

activate and give signals to B-cells (to make more antibodies)

killer T-Cell

attacks cells infected with pathogens

pathogen

a foreign, invasive substance that can cause disease or illness

allergen

substance that triggers an allergic response

autoimmune disease

occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own body cells (Ex: AIDS, Multiple Sclerosis, Type 1 Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis)

antibiotic

a substance that can kill or slow the growth of bacteria

immunity

the ability to resist or recover from an infectious disease; occurs when an organism's immune system recognizes/remembers a specific pathogen and its antigen and is able to produce antibodies against that pathogen more quickly so that the organism does not get sick