The Immune System

Through reverse transcriptase, the DNA is made and put into the genome of the host cells. The cell then uses 9 genes and produces all the protein and RNA needed to make more virus particles, thus reproducing.

“Humoral immunity is a type of immune response that depends on antibodies.” The response begins when a pathogen binds to a B cell. The B cell will engulf the pathogen and display a part of the antigen on its exterior. Once a T cell is exposed to the antigen-presenting B cell, the T cell will release proteins to activate the B cell. Now that the B cell is activated, it will produce antibodies to cause the pathogens to clump together. In the last stage of humoral immunity, phagocytes will engulf and destroy the pathogens.

3. Understanding that HIV is a retrovirus (a virus that uses reverse transcriptase), answer the following questions:

Aids is a disease that is increasing rapidly. Even though there is more efficient technology today

Mr. .J. is a 30 year old Caucasian male presented to the Emergency Department with symptoms of myalgia, fever, rash, swollen glands, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Mr. J. reported fever and sore throat started about a week ago and the rash presented today. Mr. J. stated “I thought I had the flu but I am not feeling any better and now I have a rash, that’s why I decided to come to the E.D.”. (Health and Human Services panel, 2013)

i. HIV is a virus that kills cells in our immune system, which protects us from

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

Describe the immune response and the cells and structures that participate in it. Pay special attention to the different types of white blood cells as well as the structures involved. (At least 500 words.)

The immune system contributes to homeostasis as it protects and defends against invaders that pose a threat to the body’s balance. Homeostasis is an internal balance that is maintained by multiple factors within the body. The immune system is responsible for avoiding and limiting infections in the body. It prevents and heals damage that invading pathogens may cause to the body. In this way, it helps maintain homeostasis by eliminating pathogens and the imbalances they cause in the body. A first defense, known as the innate immune response, activates as soon as the body is infected. It is the same regardless of the invader. Examples include skin, chemical secretions, and linings.

infected cells, have opened new avenues for strategies for HIV vaccine design” (39). These antibodies

Humans such as us alike cannot live in a world without a highly effective defense system that helps us to resist against infections and toxins caused by microorganisms. The immune system is a complex network of consorting cells, tissues and organs that defend the body from pathogens and other harmful substances. This essential complex consists of two subsections : the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system.

HIV is a sexually transmitted disease that attacks the body’s immune system by diminishing CD4 cells that help prevent and fight illnesses. HIV is a virus, more specifically a retrovirus that transcribes its RNA into the host cell’s DNA, and is spread by a transfer in bodily fluids namely drug injection and condomless sex. As the disease progresses into acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), the virus continues eliminating CD4 cells until the immune system becomes virtually ineffective [5]. Scientists first identified HIV in 1985 in response to the AIDS crisis plaguing the United States [6]. With no cure yet available, those affected with HIV must rely on antiretroviral drug therapy to decrease their chances of developing AIDS [7].

Defending the host against pathogens and toxins is the major function of the immune system, a task essential to any organism. Composed primarily of individual cells rather than forming into organs, the cells of the immune system spread throughout the body.

HIV and AIDS have affected millions of people throughout the world. Since 1981, there have been 25 million deaths due to AIDS involving men, women, and children. Presently there are 40 million people living with HIV and AIDS around the world and two million die each year from AIDS related illnesses. The Center for Disease Control estimates that one-third of the one million Americans living with HIV are not aware that they have it. The earliest known case of HIV was in 1959. It was discovered in a blood sample from a man in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Looking further into the genetics of this blood sample researchers suggested that it had originated from a virus going back to the late 1940’s or early 1950’s. In 1999,

Have you ever wondered how your body works? Did you ever think about how your body defends itself from outside invaders? Remember the last time you were sick. Did you know how your body fought and killed the sickness? All these questions can be answered by learning about one of the most important systems in your body, the immune system.