THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

THE IMMUNE SYSTEMBy: Brooke Skelly

WHAT IS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM?

• The immune system protects the body from disease and other damaging bodies.

• The immune system works hard to keep all other systems healthy.

PARTS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Thymus, white blood cells, antibodies, epidermis, cilia, mucus, and saliva.• Thymus ~ gland that releases a hormone that stimulates white

blood cell production• White blood cells ~ attack invading bacteria• Antibodies ~ identify and remove deadly antigens• Epidermis ~ outer layer of cells that cover an organism • Cilia ~ expel particles covered in mucus• Mucus ~ a slimy substance that keeps things like the throat and

lungs moist• Saliva ~ watery liquid in the mouth that lubricates chewing and

swallowing

LINES OF DEFENSE• Physical & Chemical Barriers ~ barriers that

prevent disease causing organisms from entering the body

• Nonspecific Resistance ~ responds to cells that go unrecognized

• Specific Resistance ~ specific responses to specific threats

VACCINE USE• A vaccine is a biological preparation that builds

immunity to a certain disease. Typically, a vaccine includes a diseased agent.

DISEASES THAT HAVE VACCINES

1. Polio2. Rabies 3. Varicella

WORKING WITH OTHER SYSTEMS

• Circulatory ~ immune system cells use the heart and blood vessels as a pathway

• Digestive ~ deciphers whether foregin substances are food or pathogens

• Skeletal ~ provides the blood cells that the immune system needs as a method of transportation

FACTS• The #1 way to boost immunity is to reduce

stress.• Getting under 5 hours of sleep has been shown to

depress immune function in the body.• People who lack humor in their lives tend to have

less protective immune responses.• Dieting also weakens the immune system.