Overview of the immune system and its disorders in the context of human health and disease processes.
Identify structures of the immune system.
Explain functions of the immune system.
Identify different types of immunity.
Differentiate between active and passive immunity.
Discuss lifestyle effects on the immune system.
Identify common disorders related to the immune system.
Discuss purpose of immunization.
Differentiate between antigens and antibodies.
Discuss common medications used with the immune system.
The immune system protects the human body from diseases caused by microorganisms through a complex network known as the host defense system.
Components include:
White Blood Cells (WBCs)
Bone Marrow
Thymus
Lymph Nodes
Spleen
Lymphatic Vessels
Tonsils and Adenoids
Also known as leukocytes, crucial for protection against infections.
Types include lymphocytes (B cells and T cells):
B cells produce antibodies.
T cells attack infected cells and coordinate the immune response.
Essential for active immunity.
Two main groups:
Granulocytes: Neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils.
Agranulocytes: Lymphocytes and monocytes.
WBCs act as generals, locating infection sites and recruiting more WBCs to fight off unknown organisms, producing antibodies to destroy invaders.
Found in the bloodstream and able to navigate through blood vessel walls to tissues for infection site localization.
Formed in bone marrow from stem cells.
T cells migrate to the thymus; B cells mature in bone marrow and travel to the spleen and lymph nodes.
Function: Produces all blood cells, including WBCs.
Contains hematopoietic stem cells necessary for immune cell development.
Rapidly increases immune cell production during infections.
Located in the upper chest, behind the sternum.
Essential for adaptive immune response; T cells mature here.
Different T cell types shape and control immune response.
Location: Upper left abdomen, behind the stomach and below diaphragm.
Functions as a blood filter, recognizing pathogens and releasing lymphocytes to combat them.
Includes:
Lymph Nodes, Tonsils and Adenoids, Peyer’s Patches, Appendix
Key checkpoints that identify, filter, and respond to pathogens.
Body's ability to protect against infections and diseases.
All immune parts cooperate to identify and eliminate harmful microorganisms.
Recognizes own body cells and beneficial microorganisms.
Identifies threats and mounts an immune response involving various cells and proteins.
Innate Immunity: Rapid, non-specific response to a wide range of microbes.
Acquired Immunity: Slower, specific responses tailored to particular pathogens.
Body's first defense line, responding quickly within hours, non-specific, and does not remember past infections.
Components: Skin, mucous membranes, white blood cells, chemical defenses.
Specialized immune response developing over time, specific to toxins, delayed response, and memory formation from past exposures or vaccinations.
Innate Immunity:
Immediate response, non-specific, no memory.
Acquired Immunity:
Delayed response, specific, has memory.
Designed to prevent infections by reinforcing physical barriers like skin, mucus, and cilia, and activating internal defenses.
Acts as a physical barrier, produces chemicals to kill pathogens, and hosts a microbiome that prevents harmful bacteria from thriving.
Mucus contains lysozymes to destroy bacteria; cilia in the respiratory tract help clear mucus and pathogens.
Include saliva, stomach mucosa, tears, and hair in the nose that trap pathogens and contain enzymes to aid in neutralizing bacteria.
Activated when physical barriers are breached; phagocytes and natural killer cells recognize and attack invaders.
Types of white blood cells (macrophages, neutrophils) that hunt and destroy pathogens, activated by inflammation signals.
Inflammation is signaled by mast cells releasing histamine, enhancing blood flow and recruiting immune cells to sites of infection.
Involves vasodilation, increased blood flow, warmth, redness, and swelling to support healing.
Fever functions as a defense mechanism to inhibit microbial activity and boost immune cell functionality.
Exposure through infection leads to antibody production and memory cell formation for future protection.
Active Acquired Immunity: Body creates antibodies through infection or vaccination.
Passive Acquired Immunity: Antibodies transferred from another source; temporary and does not involve memory cell creation.
Pathogen entry leads to antigen recognition by the immune system.
Antigen presentation activates T and B cells to fight the invader, supported by memory formation for future recognition.
Sequence follows pathogen entry, recognition, cell activation, pathogenesis killing, and memory formation.
They travel the body to find and destroy pathogens, displaying antigens for further immune action.
Antigens are unique surface proteins on pathogens, crucial for immune recognition and response.
B cells produce antibodies in response to recognized antigens, either from memory or new production.
Antibodies attach to antigens, blocking pathogen entry or marking them for destruction by immune cells.
Antigens trigger immune responses; B lymphocytes produce antibodies, while T cells destroy infected cells.
Immunity reflects the body's capability to recognize and produce antibodies against specific diseases via exposure and recovery.
Active Immunity: Developed through infection or vaccination; Passive Immunity: Short-term immunity from another source with no memory formation.
Acquired throughout life via exposure or vaccination; can be natural or artificial with distinct pathways of immunity.
Lead to artificially acquired immunity through injections of vaccines or immunoglobulins.
Routine vaccinations protect against diseases in children, vital for public health and prevention of infections.
Poor lifestyle choices hinder WBC function and immune response; stress, sleep deprivation, and lack of exercise impact overall immune health.
Nutrient-rich diets support immune function; specific vitamins contribute to the production of immune cells and the prevention of inflammation.
Higher infection risk and hormonal imbalances weaken immune responses; adequate sleep is essential for immunity.
Poor circulation and weakened immune response; regular exercise is crucial for maintaining effective immune cell activity.
Chronic stress elevates cortisol, suppressing immune function and leading to decreased immune cell activity.
Conditions where the immune system attacks the body's own cells, disrupting normal organ function and causing potential abnormalities.
Include: Multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, asthma, systemic lupus erythematosus, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, and psoriasis.
Chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder affecting connective tissues with possible organ damage.
Two forms include Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
Symptoms include fever, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain, and distinctive butterfly rash.
Leads to potential dysfunction and damage across multiple organs including brain, heart, and kidneys.
Autoimmune disorder causing hyperthyroidism due to immune attack on the thyroid gland.
Autoimmune disorder that leads to gradual thyroid gland damage and hypothyroidism symptoms.
Allergies occur when the immune system misidentifies harmless substances as threats leading to inflammatory responses and possible anaphylactic reactions.
Types include antihistamines, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, antiviral medications, antibiotics, immune modulators, and probiotics.
Block histamine receptors to alleviate allergy symptoms.
Examples: Diphenhydramine, Cetirizine.
Anti-inflammatory drugs that suppress immune responses.
Examples: Prednisone, Methylprednisolone.
Used to prevent organ rejection and treat autoimmune disorders by inhibiting immune responses.
Examples: Azathioprine, Cyclosporine.
Lab-made antibodies targeting specific immune components, used in various treatments.
Examples: Rituximab, Adalimumab.
Stimulate acquired immunity and are crucial for disease prevention.
Examples: Influenza vaccine, COVID-19 vaccines.
Inhibit viral development to aid immune responses against infections.
Examples: Oseltamivir, Acyclovir.
Treat bacterial infections, supporting the immune system against illness.
Examples: Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin.
Adjust immune response levels and can be used to reduce inflammation.
Examples: Interferons for multiple sclerosis.
Live microorganisms that enhance health and support immune response, particularly for gut health.
Examples: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium.