The Immune System

Sources:

• www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?lic=1&article_set=53862&cat_id=20607
• www.kidshealth.org/parent/general/body-basics/immune.html
• www.missinglink.ucsf.edu/Im/immunology_module/prologue/objectives/obj08.html
• www.innerbody.com/image/lympov.html
• www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/immuneSystem/Pages/structureImages.aspx
• www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-bone-marrow
• www.gut.bmj.com/content/6/3/225.full.pdf
• www.kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/sick/adenoids.html
• www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=what-is-the-function-of-t

The Immune Response

Step 1: Barriers such as cough reflex, tears, skin oils,

mucus, skin, and stomach acid will usually stop the antigen

from entering the body systems.

Step 2: The antigen successfully enters. But your body is ready for it. Antigen recognition takes place.

Eat ALL

the

The Immune System

antigens!!

Step 3: Antigen elimination! Antibodies and T cells eliminate/eat the antigen.

Step 4: Contraction/Homeostasis: the immune response declines, and everything is restored to normal.

T Cell

Main Job: To protect your body from diseases and viruses.

Diagram

Step 5: Antibodies and T and B cells meant for that particular disease remain in the body, so

you can fight off that disease quicker if

The Tonsils contain T and B cells, and they often become inflamed in response to infection.

it comes back.

T cells (a type of lymphocyte, which is a type of white blood cell) directly fight specific pathogens, and then Memory T cells persist for later infection.

B cells also fight specific pathogens, and form plasma cells which produce antibodies.

Antibodies- neutralize pathogens (prevent them from doing anything)

Adenoids also contain T and B cells, and they trap bacteria that you inhale or swallow. Adenoids are only needed before age 5, after that they will shrink and disappear.

(These make the T cells)

The Thymus is an organ that produces and trains T cells. It is not needed after childhood, so it slowly turns into adipose tissue.

Fun Fact:

Each of your Lymph Nodes are about the size of a pea.

Lymph Node Diagram

You have a couple hundred of these throughout your body. Lymph nodes filter the lymph coming from the lymphatic vessels.

Spleen Diagram

Sometimes lymph contains bacterial cells picked up from diseased tissue. The lymph nodes get rid of these harmful cells.

The Spleen is an organ that filters out blood and damaged blood cells.

Who the Immune System Works

Your appendix assists with the maturation of B cells, and also helps produce a specific type of antibodies.

Fun Fact:

You have around 30 Peyer's Patches in your body.

With

Peyer's Patch Diagram

How to Keep your System Healthy

Found in the small intestine, these "Peyer's Patches" are storage places for the T and B cells that look for antigens in waste products.

• exercising
• eating healthy food
• regularly washing your hands
• getting enough sleep

• Circulatory: Brings T and B cells to where they're needed
• Lymphatic: Cleans up after the "war" with invading cells
• Digestive: Peyer's Patches help find antigens in small intestine

Red

Fun Fact:

4% of your body weight is bone marrow.

Immune System Disorders

Lymphatic vessels are a lot like veins, only with lymph inside them instead of blood. Lymph is a liquid that is 90% water and 10% dissolved proteins, cell waste, hormones, etc.

• Immunodeficiency disorders (born with or gotten from someone else)
• Autoimmune disorders (body attacks its own tissue)

Red Bone Marrow is where leukocytes (white blood cells) are made. There are many types of leukocytes, broken up into two different categories: Agranular and Granular.

Agranular:

Granular:

Macrophages: eat large invading cells, slow acting

Esinophils/Basophils: Control inflammation*

• Allergic disorders (body overreacts to an antigen

Neutrophils: Eat invading cells, come to site quickly

Dendritic Cells: Detect invadors, trigger T and B cells

*Inflammation: Bodily response: makes it hard for invading cells to survive (increasing temperature, swelling)

• Cancers of the immune system

By: Erin M.