Immune systemNon-specific & Specific

immune responses

Characteristics:

is the body’s ability to repel foreign substances • by defension against invading pathogens• by removal of dead cells• by identification & destruction of abnormal and

mutant cells• by rejection of „foreign“ cells and organs

Inappropriate responses:

Allergies

Autoimmune disorders

Lupus

Allergens

Nonspecific immune responses innate quick body’s first line against invaders not directed against a particular pathogen

Types:

Species resistance

Mechanical barriers

Chemical barriers

Fever

Inflammation

Phagocytosis

Specific immune responses acquired effective against specific pathogens cooperate with lymphatic system - lymphocytes

Types:

Cellular immunity = Cellular immune system• T – lymphocytes – originate in bone marrow and mature in

thymus

• cytotoxic T-cells; helper T-cells, suppressor T-cells

MECHANISM:

T-lymphocytes mature into active killer T-cells that attack cells infected by

pathogens or are cancerous

lysis of infected cell

suprpessor T-cells stop the activity of killer T-cells

Types:

Humoral immunity = Humoral immune system• B – lymphocytes – originate in bone marrow and stay there to develop

• antibodies

MECHANISM:

Helper T-cells activate B-lymphocytes

they mature into plasma cells = memory cells (are able to produce

antibodies and form memory marks to remember invaders for the next

time)

each antibody binds with particular antigen

agglutination (clump together)

phagocytosis by macrophages