Immune and Endocrine system

the immune system

• Network of organs, cells, and proteins that protect your body from diseases

• Protects your body from bacteria and viruses

• Includes surface barriers and the immune response system

surface barriers

• Skin - first protection against pathogens

• Mucus layer/hair - traps pathogens that may have entered through the nose or mouth

• Stomach acid - pathogens entering the stomach will have to survive acidic conditions

immune response

• White blood cells are responsible for the fight against pathogens

• Two types of response:

  • Phagocytosis (eating of pathogen)

  • Antibodies

phagocytosis

• Pathogen gets swallowed by the white blood cell through a process called phagocytosis

• Cell membrane wraps around the pathogen (i.e. forming a  vacuole)

• Afterwards, the lysosomes will dissolve (digest) the intruder

antibodies

• Certain white blood cells will produce antibodies, which will recognize specific pathogens

• Antibodies may “cover” the pathogen to prevent infection, or mark the pathogen for other white blood cells to ingest

vaccines

• Contracting the pathogen to create antibodies and build immunity can be dangerous

• Traditional vaccines contain weakened pathogens that your body can fight off and create antibodies

• Booster doses are given when immunity wanes

the endocrine system

• Creates and releases hormones (chemical substances that signal/stimulate various parts of the body)

• Consists of various tissues and glands

pineal gland

• Regulates the circadian rhythm (i.e. biological clock) within the body

• Releases melatonin that helps with sleep

hypothalamus

• Maintains homeostasis (stability of conditions) within the body

• For example, body temperature is kept around 37^oC

pituitary gland

• “Master gland”

• Controls all the other glands in the endocrine system

• Regulates growth, metabolism, reproduction, etc.

thyroid gland

• Located below the larynx

• Regulates metabolism and growth with the body

thymus gland

• Located beneath the breastbone

• Produces and trains a special type of white blood cells (T-cells) to help with the immune system

adrenal gland

• Produces adrenaline

• Located above the kidneys

• Regulates a variety of hormones that helps with:

  • Metabolism

  • Immune system

  • Blood pressure

  • And more

pancreas

• Secretes hormones, insulin and glucagon

• Insulin lowers the level of glucose in your blood

• Glucagon increases the level of glucose in your blood

testes

• Produces sperm and the hormone, testosterone

  • Development of male sex organs and other male characteristics

ovaries

• Produces ovum and the hormones, estrogen and progesterone

  • Development of female sex organs and other female characteristics

problems with the endocrine system

hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism