The immune
system of our body is our body's
defense system. It protects us
from foreign particles that enter
our body. It could be divided
into two categories: nonspecific
defenses and specific defenses.
The nonspecific defenses include:
- the skin, which is
somewhat remove foreign
invaders impermeable and
acts as a physical
barrier
- the mucous membranes,
which act to trap and
- cilia, which line the
respiratory tract and
sweep away foreign
materials that are
inhaled
- the acid in the
stomach, which destroys
microorganisms that are
ingested
- the circulatory white
blood cells, which engulf
and destroy foreign
invaders that enter into
the blood
- The interferons,
which are produced by
cells that have been
infected with a virus and
carry a signal to
adjacent cells, thereby
protecting them from the
infecting virus.
The specific responses are
mediated through the immune
system, which recognizes the
particular invading substance and
responds specifically to that
substance.
The Anatomic Response, the
Inflammatory Response, and the
Immune response are the three
types of defense responses in the
immune system. The first line of
defense against foreign particle
is the Anatomic Response. An
example will be the stomach acid
and the skin. Anatomic barriers
prevent foreign particles from
entering into our body. If
foreign particles do get through
the first line of defense, then
the second line of defense
attacks them, which is the
Inflammatory Response. The Immune
Response is the central part of
the immune system. It is the key
fighter that protects us from
foreign particles.
Cells of the Immune System
There are many different
specialized cells that are pare
of the Immune System. They are
called leukocytes (WHITE BLOOD
CELLS) .There are 5 different
types of leukocytes.
- Lymphocytes
- Eosinophils
- Basophils
- Monocytes
- Neutrophils
The lymphocytes are very
important in fighting infection.
They can recognize foreign
substance and make antibodies
against these substances, which
they release into the blood so
that the antibodies can then
travel all through our bodies.
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