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The body has many defences against disease. The skin, digestive, respiratory, urinary or reproductive systems form a first line of defence by decreasing the chance of entry of pathogens into the body. If a pathogen penetrates these defences, the second and third line of defence comes into force. The Second Line of Defence The Third Line of Defence
Fast acting phagocytes proteins (any white blood cell that is capable of phagocytosis) escape from the bloodstream and enter adjacent tissue engulf pathogens.
Plasma
Clotting occurs
Dilation of arteries
Swelling
Memory cells. These enter a resting phase They will take part in a more
rapid response if the same enemy shows up again. How do the B and T lymphocytes actually work? The cells of any organism have a special protein molecule (MHC) on their membranes, which act as an identity tag. This helps the immune system recognize self. BUT cells that do not belong to that organism do not have a self-tag. Any non-self tag = an antigen. The presence of antigens in the blood system triggers an immune response in the following way:Lymphocytes (once produced in the bone marrow) follow one of the following pathways, becoming effector cells -
They congregate in lymph nodes, the tonsils , spleen, appendix and patches in the gut
become sensitized and become T lymphocytes On contact with a foreign body or its antigen, some T cells release proteins into the body fluids, which:1. attract phagocytes to the area 2. prevent the foreign matter from leaving the area 3. activate the monocytes (thus, more phagocytosis) 4. kill the foreign matter become B lymphocytes On contact with a foreign body or its antigen, some B cells produce chemicals called antibodies, which:1. coat the foreign matter to help phagocytosis 2. make the foreign matter stick together 3. cause the foreign matter to break up and dissolve
Some of both the B and T cells become memory cells. They persist long after the original antigen has been
removed or destroyed. Although T-cells and B lymphocytes are capable of producing independent immune responses, they sometimes work together. Some T-cells have a helper function, stimulating the production of antibodies from the B Lymphocytes. The AIDS virus attacks helper T-cells, thus inhibiting the whole immune system. The AIDS victim is therefore vulnerable to all sorts of diseases. It has been found that mental stress, bereavement, loneliness and depression affect the operation of the lymphocytes and reduce T-cell activity. Immunological specificity and memory thus involves the following 3 steps:1. recognition of antigen/s 2. repeated cell divisions 3. differentiation into effector cells (which produce antibodies) and memory cells.
ACQUIRED IMMUNITY
Acquired immunity refers to the protection an animal develops against certain types of microbes or foreign particles. Immunity may be naturally acquired, through natural exposure to microbes, or artificially acquired as a result of medical treatment. However, there are two more familiar ways in which we refer to acquired immunity viz:
Active immunity This develops when a person is exposed to microorganisms or foreign substances and that persons immune system responds.
Passive immunity This is acquired when antibodies are transferred from one person to another. The person does not make the antibodies themselves.
Some examples of ways in which immunity is gained can be seen in the flow diagram below. Acquired Immunity
Naturally Acquired
Artificially Acquired
Active Antigens enter the body naturally as in cases where: Microbes cause the person to actually catch the disease Sub-clinical infections (those that produce no evident symptoms)
Passive Antibodies pass from the mother to the foetus via the placenta during pregnancy, or to her infant through her milk. The infants body does not produce any antibodies of its own.
Active Antigens (weakened, dead or fragments of microbes) are introduced in vaccines. The body produces antibodies and specialized lymphocytes.
Passive Preformed antibodies in an immune serum are introduced into the body by injection (e.g. antivenom used to treat snake bites). The body does not produce any antibodies.