Structures Involved In The Immune System

An antigen is anything in the body the is non self which could include bacteria, viruses, chemicals or abnormal cell growth.

The immune system depends on the body’s structures to help it function. For instance, the skin acts as the “body’s first line of defense.” If a pathogen finds a breach in the skin barrier, it is the circulatory system that must now signal the immune system of the invader. Shortly after, white blood cells will be notified of the infection and will target and destroy the pathogen.

The body’s protection against viruses, bacteria and other types of invasions is our immune system (Tortora, 2014).

Human beings are born with immunity as well as they acquire it from the environment they grow in. Human innate immunity is assigned the task to hinder the harmful substances from entering the body. These immunity barriers develop a defense line. The innate immunity includes cough, tear enzymes, mucus, skin and the stomach acid. Hence, the role of innate immune system is to stop harmful materials from entering our body. In case the innate immunity is insufficient to fight, there is acquired immunity that fights harmful substances by getting exposed to various antigens. The acquired immunity is developed against specific antigen. Its role is to fight

The organs that make up the lymphatic and immune system are the tonsils, spleen, thymus gland, lymph nodes, and lymphatic vessels. White blood cells (leukocytes), red blood cells (erythrocytes), plasma, and platelets (thrombocytes) make up the blood. Lymphocytes are leukocytes (white blood cells) that help the body fight off diseases. Two types of lymphocytes are B cells and T cells. Lymphocytes recognize antigens, or foreign substances/matter, in the body. Lymphocytes are a classification of agranulocytes, or cells (-cytes) without (a-) granules (granul/o) in the cytoplasm. B cells are created from stem cells, which are located in the bone marrow. B cells respond to antigens by becoming plasma cells. These plasma cells then create antibodies. Memory B cells produce a stronger response with the next exposure to the antigen. B cells fight off infection and bacteria while T cells defend against viruses and cancer cells. A hormone created by the thymus gland called thymosin changes lymphocytes into T cells. The thymus gland is active when you are a child and slowly shrinks, as you get older. T cells bind to the antigens on the cells and directly attack them. T cells secrete lymphokines that increase T cell production and directly kill cells with antigens. There are three types of T cells: cytotoxic T cells, helper T cells, and memory T cells.

MS is found along the regions 1p36, 5p13, 10p15, 12q13.3 - 12q14.1, 19q13.3, and usually 6p21.3 in the corresponding chromosomes (McKusick). Most cases of MS are linked to chromosome 6, which contains the HLA gene family. HLA genes provide instructions for creating a group of proteins called the HLA (human leukocyte antigen) complex. The HLA complex helps the immune system tell the body’s own proteins apart from foreign proteins made by substances such as bacteria and viruses. An error with the HLA complex causes the immune system to attack itself. This would damage the nerve cells, and therefore leading to multiple sclerosis (Genetics Home Reference). However, the role the gene plays in the development of the condition is not ultimately clear. Since MS in most families does not follow simple inheritance patterns (autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked), it is likely that it is largely determined by interacting genes. Smoking and being exposed to viral infections are examples of other factors that are believed to lead to MS. MS is a disorder with a complicated and extensive system of inheritance (Duke Molecular Physiology

When foreign invaders such as bacteria or viruses enter the body, immune cells called lymphocytes respond by producing antibodies, which are protein molecules. These antibodies fight the invaders known as an antigen and protect against further infection. A primary immune response happens the first time a person is exposed to an antigen. This response is slow and takes several weeks to occur, memory cells

The immune system consists of a defense system that guards the body against invasion from infections and other diseases. Normally, a healthy person's immune system has the capability to differentiate between its own cells and cells that represent threats to the health of the body. (Craft and Kanter, 2002). Autoimmune disease refers to a broad range of over 80 acute, long-lasting diseases that affect nearly every organ in the body. (Wrong Diagnosis.com, 2000).

D. An antigen is a toxin or other foreign substance that induces an immune response in the body, esp. the production of antibodies.

Normally the body is protected by the immune system. When the immune system detects an unwelcome visitor such as fungi, bacteria and or viruses

Antigens are substances that provoke an immune response (they're the ultimate target for the immune system). Antibodies are simply proteins that are secreted as a result of the antigen provoked immune response. In short, antigens cause the disease and

To be able to distinguish among self and non-self molecules, both immune and adaptive immunity depends on the ability of the immune system. Self molecules are known as the components in which the body disguise itself from foreign substances by immune system. Non-self discrimination molecules are known as the foreign molecules. One of its function is the antigen, this substance bind with specific immune receptors and immune response elicit.

We are examining the role the immune system plays within the general day to day operation of the human body. Further examination of the impaired immune system 's profound negative impact on the whole body system, will also be delineated. The human body has structures and processes inside the body that defend against infection and additional harmful foreign bodies. When working appropriately, the immune system detects a diversity of dangers, such as foreign bodies like bacteria, viruses, and parasites, and attacks them, leaving the healthy body tissue alone. The immune system also creates safeguards for the body to prevent disruptions of body processes by new pathogens, traumas, and mutations.

The human body contains two type of immunity—innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Adaptive immunity provides a specific response against the antigens of pathogens. White blood cells or lymphocytes are the main tools of adaptive immunity. There are two main types of lymphocytes; T and B cells. Pathogens have chemical signals, antigens, which the immune system recognizes. B cells have antibodies that recognize these antigens and kill the pathogens when they are still outside of a cell. T cells have receptors that are antigen specific. They are

For the immune system to able to keep us healthy it needs to be able to recognise what is a danger to our body and therefore needs to be removed, and what is safe. Proteins are used to do this. Pathogens have proteins on their surface called antigens, which activate the immune system. Our own cells also have surface proteins which the immune system recognises as part of the body and therefore doesn’t attack. (1)