Immune System Functions and Antigen Recognition

Vocabulary flashcards covering the primary functions of the immune system, antigen detection, and self versus nonself recognition.

Immunology

The study of all features of the body's second and third lines of defense.

Mandate of the immune system

The core responsibilities of a healthy functioning immune system, consisting of surveillance of the body, recognition of foreign material, and destruction of entities deemed to be foreign.

Antigens

A unique mix of surface macromolecules displayed by cells and particles (such as pollen) that the immune system senses to determine whether they are foreign or not.

White blood cells

Cells of the immune system that constantly circulate through the body searching for potential pathogens and are trained to differentiate self from nonself.

Self

The body's own cells and macromolecules, which white blood cells are trained to recognize as native rather than foreign.

Nonself

Any foreign material or invading entity in the body, such as an invading bacterial cell, that is recognized as distinct from the body's own components.