The immune system utilizes its biological responses to protect the body from infection and disease. It's critical mechanisms allow for the rapid sensing and elimination of microbes that can harm your body. When a virus invades your body the immune system enforces a complex process to remove it. Your body carries out this process by identifying the virus, activating the immune system, and by restraining and eliminating the virus. When dealing with intruders, the body recruits relies on the adaptive immune system. The adaptive immune system is a type of immunity that relies on “an antigen-specific response” when it encounters microorganisms so that it can destroy the intruder (Hendry, et al. 38). Two different aspects of adaptive immunity are …show more content…
At the start of this step B lymphocytes have already become activated and are now beginning to flood the bloodstream with free floating antibodies. However, to destroy the virus the body needs to activate other white blood cells. White blood cell activation can happen a number of ways. Some white blood cells such as macrophages, phagocytes, and B lymphocytes can easily recognize invaders and become activated (Delves). However, killer and helper T cells cannot identify foreign cells unless they receive help from other cells. T cells are activated either by antigen-presenting cells, or from the chemical signals that come from other cells (Delves). This happens when the antigen-presenting cells, give the antigen fragments to T cells after they are broken down, or when free floating antibodies from the B lymphocytes attract the T cells to the virus’s colonizing site (Hendry, et al. 39). The activation of both killer and helper T cells, enables the body’s adaptive immunity response to reach full potential, resulting in the increase of the rate and intensity of the response (Hendry, et al. 40). With the immune system activated and working at its maximum potential, the body can now move on to the third and final step in this process, restraining and eliminating the …show more content…
Restraining the virus is done in two ways, either by macrophages and phagocytes, or by killer T cells. Macrophages and phagocytes both contain the virus by engulfing and breaking them down with the help of enzymes and lysosomes (Delves). Killer T cells “recognize antigens from the pathogen” and kills the cell by inducing apoptosis, thus “preventing the spread of the infection to neighboring cells” (Mayer, Nyland). Killer T cells also immobilize infected cells by injecting a substance called perforin, which enters the wall of the infected cell and makes a hole, causing the cell to leak fluids and electrolytes and ultimately lead to their death (Menche, et al). Antibodies also play a vital role in the neutralizing viruses. Menche et, al. explains that antibodies can neutralize pathogens by “attach[ing] directly to the surface of a virus… and stop the pathogen from attaching itself to a normal body cell and infecting it”. After successfully obliterating the virus, the T helper cells activate a regulatory T cell by releasing hormones known as lymphokines. These hormones are responsible for regulating the immune system. After a virus is destroyed, regulatory t cells reduce the activity levels of B lymphocytes and other T cells by releasing their own set of lymphokines, called suppressor factors. The immune system is a formidable system, consisting of multiple intricate parts. These parts
The B cells, T cells, Macrophage, and Antibodies are all a very large part of the immune system. There are two types of T cells, killer and helper T cells. Killer T cells find and destroy cells infected with bacteria, and helper T cells control the activity of other cells in the immune system. Then, B cells are considered the “clean up crew,” attacking any bacteria or viruses the T cell left behind. They also make antibodies, which are essential for trapping invading viruses and
This Radiolab podcast talks about how the HIV/AIDS epidemic started: the ultimate patient zero story, a very recent event that still hurts and still bleeds.
Kopp, Elizabeth, and Medzhitov, Ruslan. “A Plague on Host Defense.” The Journal of Experimental Medicine. .
The human immune system is an amazing system that is constantly on the alert protecting us from
The job of the immune system is to keep “foreign” invaders out of the body, or if one gets in, to seek it out and kill it. These foreign invaders are called pathogens, which are tiny organisms that can cause an infection in the body. Pathogens can be bacteria, parasites, and fungi (http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/immuneSystem/pages/whatisimmunesystem.aspx).
The function of the immune system is it helps play a vital part of our everyday lives. It helps protect our bodies where ever we go. Our immune systems help defend our bodies against germs and microorganisms. The immune system is made up of various special cells, tissues, organs and proteins. This special system does an amazing job of keeping our bodies healthy and in good shape from different diseases and infections.
The lymphatic system is made up of organs and tissues, that defends the body against infectious diseases, while also returning tissue fluids to the body’s bloodstream. The lymphatic system prevents the body from disease and infection by producing white blood cells. The lymphatic system helps our immune
“The lymphatic system is a vital and integral part of the cardiovascular system”. The lymphatic system contains many structures which consist of lymphatic vessels, lymph fluid, lymph cells, lymph nodes and other substances. (Hastie, 2012) The lymphatic system consists of a network of fine tubes or vessels which ramify throughout the body similar to blood vessels. Unlike the blood the fluid is moved by the muscles and limbs. The lymph vessels have fine walls, so water can pass easily through them. The main role of the lymphatic system is too drain off excess fluid from all parts of the body. This prevents the cells getting waterlogged. (Hayes, 2002). Other functions include returning the lymph back to the heart and immune surveillance within
The Phase I trial will be discussed here as it pertains to the topic at hand. The typical treatment for cervical cancer if surgery is not a viable option – like if the cancer has spread, then called locally advanced cervical cancer – is chemotherapy and radiation treatment at the same time. This phase I clinical trial is simply looking to add ipilimumab to this regimen, but once the chemo/radiation has been completed (LACC article). Chemo and radiation destroy tumor cells, which causes tumor-associated antigens to be released. Once released, these antigens are exogenous (outside the cell) and will be presented to helper T cells to initiate an immune response.
Seattle Education Project. (2013, November). STEP: The Immune System - An Overview, [Online]. Available: http://www.thebody.com/step/immune.html [11/12/14].
When a cell in our body has become infected or has become cancerous it’s surface changes. This is how the immune system can tell good cells from bad ones (the markings on the surface.) Once a bad cell has been recognized our bodies sends cells to destroy the damaged cell and prevent the spread of whatever caused the damage in the first place. The next step our body takes is to have the affected cells start to produce interferons and other helpful substances. These help to fight off unwanted organisms, and also to warn other cells of the invaders and prepare them to resist them therefore preventing the spread of disease.
HIV is transmitted from person to person during specific activities when an infected person’s bodily fluids, for example, semen, vaginal fluids, anal secretions or blood enters another person’s body (UNICEF, 2008). For transmission to occur these fluids have to come into contact with damaged, broken skin or the mucous membranes found inside the rectum, vagina, mouth or penis; through certain sexual behaviors or by using an infected needle/drug equipment (NHS, 2014). Once infected this virus gradually attacks and destroys certain cells of the body’s immune system. The very system that protects and defend the body from illness or infections (The Well Project, 2015). HIV specifically targets the CD4 cells or T ‘helper’ cells and reduces them in number causing the immune system to weaken, making the body vulnerable and less able to fight off infections (AVERTing HIV, 2015). If left untreated, HIV destroys so many of these cells that the immune system becomes too badly damaged, making the body vulnerable to opportunistic infections and HIV related cancers. These infections would cause no reaction in a person with a normal immune system but for an HIV infected person, they can cause devastating illnesses (Aids.gov, 2010). This is the final stage of the HIV virus and is known as Acquired immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Unlike other viruses, the body cannot get rid of HIV, once caught the person has
Inflammation which is part of the innate immune system is a process by which the body reacts to injury protecting it from infection and foreign substances with the help of the body’s white blood cells “Inflammation can be defined as the body’s local vascular and cellular response to injury caused by factors that invade and injure the body from the outside (exogenous factors) or factors within the body that result in cellular or tissue injury (endogenous) factors” (Battle, 2009, P 238). Factors such as bacteria, viruses, burns, frostbite, chemical irritants, immune reactions and physical injury are examples of factors that can cause inflammation through different mechanisms. It is a protective mechanism with rapid response that neutralizes or destroys agents that causes injury and creates a barrier that limit the injury and prevents its spread to normal tissues (Battle, 2009). Also, it has elements that removes debris and heals the wound generated by the injury. It can be divided into acute and chronic inflammation.
The immune system is a fascinating structure it defends the body against foreign invaders like bacteria, viruses and parasites. There are two primary forms that make up the immune system they are, innate and adaptive systems. Both the innate and adaptive system plays a large role in the immune system. The innate is the primary system to defend against foreign materials and the adaptive is the secondary system that responds to specific issues.
We are always hearing on the news and in newspapers about children catching diseases and often dying from them. Why is this happening when all of these diseases are easily preventable by simply being immunised, why aren’t parents getting their children Immunised, is it for religious beliefs or just carelessness. What ever their reason may be is it really good enough, because why would anyone rather let their child be able to catch and spread a deadly disease then have them Immunised, so Immunisation should be made compulsory for all children.