Immune System Anatomy and Physiology

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Immune System Anatomy and Physiology
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Immune System Divisions

• Non Specific Defenses
• Specific Defenses

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Pathogens

• Disease Causing agents
• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Carcinogens

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Surface Membrane Barriers

• Acidic pH of skin inhibits bacteria growth
• Stomach acid kills pathogens
• Lysozyme in saliva destroys bacteria
• Mucus in respiratory catch pathogens as they enter

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Cells and Chemicals

• Phagocytes
• Found in almost every organ
• Engulf and destroy pathogens
• Natural Killer Cells
• Non specific
• Attach to membrane of pathogen and releases
  chemicals
• Pathogen membrane and nucleus disinegrate
• Inflammatory Response
• Redness, heat, pain, swelling

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Fever

• Systemic Response to invading microorganisms
• Can be dangerous
• Deactivates enzymes in the body
• Benefits
• Liver increases uptake of iron and zinc needed by
  bacteria
• Increased metabolic rate leads to rapid tissue
  repair

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Specific Defense

• Antigens
• Substance provoking an immune response
• Pollen grains, bacteria, fungi, viruses

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Cells of the Immune System

• Lymphocytes
• B version
• Produce antibodies
• T version
• No antibodies
• Macrophages
• Turned on by T lymphocytes
• Will start eating the antigens

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Antibodies

• Secreted by B lymphocytes in response to antigens
• Designed to attack specific antigens
• Inactivate the antigens

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Organ Transplants

• Body treats new organ as foreign
• Patients receive immunosuppressive therapy after
  transplant
• Goal is to deactivate lymphocyte reaction

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Allergies

• Abnormally vigorous immune responses that cause
  tissue damage
• Fights off perceived threat that would be
  harmless
• Histamines are released that dialate blood
  vessels causing usual symptoms
• Antihistamines can be used to conteract

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Immunodeficiences

• Diseases cause immune system to be unable to
  fight antigens
• AIDS/HIV

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Autoimmune Disorders

• Immune system attacks the body
• Multiple sclerosis (white matter of brain)
• Juvenile Diabetes (pancreatic cells)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (joints)