- Provides an immediate nonspecific immune response.
Innate immunity, also known as nonspecific immunity, is a defense system that protects you from all antigens, toxins that produce antibodies. The immune system us able to provide an immediate nonspecific immune response with the help of barriers that keep harmful materials from entering your body. These barriers form the first line of defense in the immune response. These harmful materials include cough reflex, enzymes in tears and skin oils, mucus (traps bacteria and small particles), skin, and stomach acid. If antigens get passes these barriers, they are attacked by other parts of the immune system in the second line of defense. One important innate (nonspecific) component of the immune system's second line of defense is the alternative pathway of the complement system. It is one of three complement pathways that kills pathogens, any organisms capable of producing disease.
In the picture below, you can see exactly what I just explained. Basically, the image shows the first defense line in the immune system where you can see the barrier blocking foreign or harmful toxins from entering the body. The image shows that the harmful toxins are bouncing off of the barrier. However, there are a few toxins that get through the first line of defense and are then attacked by the second line of defense. Then, those that get past the second line of defense get to the third one, the specific defenses which I will talk about in number 2.
http://www2.bc.cc.ca.us/bio16/15_innate_immune.htm
2. Activates T and B cells in response to an infection.
The immune system includes certain types of white blood cells that help in the process of killing foreign substances in the body. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cells that help in this process. There are T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes. B lymphocytes become cells that produce antibodies. These antibodies then attach themselves to a specific antigen, making them an easier target for the immune cells to kill. T lymphocytes are a lot more forward than B lymphocytes. They attack antigens directly and help control the immune response. They also help control the immune system by releasing chemicals known as cytokines.
The image below portrays a T or B cell killing a cell that most likely has foreign substances or toxins, and that could possibly carry/spread new viruses throughout the body.
The image below portrays a T or B cell killing a cell that most likely has foreign substances or toxins, and that could possibly carry/spread new viruses throughout the body.
http://sporeflections.wordpress.com/2013/10/27/urspo-has-the-flu-and-teaches-immunology-101-at-the-same-time/
3. Responds to a later exposure to the same infectious agent.
As lymphocytes develop over time, they learn to tell the difference between your own body tissues and substances that are not normally found in your body. Once T and B cells are formed, other cells will multiply, providing a sort of memory for your immune system. Furthermore, the immune system begins to work more efficiently and respond a lot more quickly the next time your body is exposed to the same antigen as before. An example of this would be chicken pox. When a person gets chicken pox, they are immune to ever getting chicken pox again. The same goes for people who are given immunizations for chicken pox.
Cancer is also a great example. You see, your body is always fighting off cancerous cells. And if you happen to develop cancer, it is most likely due to a worn out immune system. But when a body experiences cancerous cells, the immune system and its defenses remembers them and can recognize them next time they try to pass through your body.
4. Distinguishes self from non-self.
"Self" and "non-self" refers to the body's ability to recognize its own cells from foreign cells. This is all possible because of the antigens. When the body and immune system barriers of defense recognize antigens present on foreign cells, they attack. Basically, we are referring back to the T and B memory cells. They recognize/remember the antigens and know when to attack/eliminate them.
You can see in the image below that the T cell has to receptors, each of a different shape. Therefore, it can easily recognize which cell is a "self" cell and which one is a "non-self" one.
WORKS CITED:
3. Responds to a later exposure to the same infectious agent.
As lymphocytes develop over time, they learn to tell the difference between your own body tissues and substances that are not normally found in your body. Once T and B cells are formed, other cells will multiply, providing a sort of memory for your immune system. Furthermore, the immune system begins to work more efficiently and respond a lot more quickly the next time your body is exposed to the same antigen as before. An example of this would be chicken pox. When a person gets chicken pox, they are immune to ever getting chicken pox again. The same goes for people who are given immunizations for chicken pox.
Cancer is also a great example. You see, your body is always fighting off cancerous cells. And if you happen to develop cancer, it is most likely due to a worn out immune system. But when a body experiences cancerous cells, the immune system and its defenses remembers them and can recognize them next time they try to pass through your body.
4. Distinguishes self from non-self.
"Self" and "non-self" refers to the body's ability to recognize its own cells from foreign cells. This is all possible because of the antigens. When the body and immune system barriers of defense recognize antigens present on foreign cells, they attack. Basically, we are referring back to the T and B memory cells. They recognize/remember the antigens and know when to attack/eliminate them.
You can see in the image below that the T cell has to receptors, each of a different shape. Therefore, it can easily recognize which cell is a "self" cell and which one is a "non-self" one.
WORKS CITED:
- http://www.cancerfightingstrategies.com/immune-system-and-cancer.html#sthash.SsFy0uSr.dpbs
- http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/immuneSystem/pages/selfnonself.aspx
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000821.htm
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_complement_pathway
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