Immune system Chp. 16 (pp. 323-350)
~20,000 genes affect immunity, usually polygenic or multifactorial traits
Major Structures-• Lymphocyte (produce by spleen) - one kind of white blood cell - T-cell and B-cell • Lymph vessels• Lymph nodes • White blood cells• Spleen • Skin
Function of the system
• The immune system is the system of specialized cells and organs that protect an organism from outside biological influences
• Defends against pathogens and disease
– Cell surfaces used to recognize “foreign” or “nonself” surfaces
• initiate immune response– Autoimmune- immune system attacks individuals
own tissues or organs– Genes encode for
• antibodies are proteins which attack foreign molecules• cytokines are biochemicals which attack foreign
molecules– antigens molecules that cause an immune
response
•Spleen-Store blood
-Kill old RBC
-Produce lymphocyte
• AIDS HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
infection will lead to immune system collapse
• HIV usually invades helper T cell, which begin to produce HIV soon after infection.
• Helper T cell die, the– immune system gradually weakens – becomes overwhelmed by pathogens that
would normally detect and destroy.
Diseases associated with that system
• Graves’ disease• Multiple sclerosis • Rheumatoid arthritis• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) - facial skin rash, painful joints, fever,
fatigue, kidney problem, weight loss• Type I diabetes
One interesting fact
• Allergy is the body’s overreaction to a normally harmless antigen
• Allergy- causing antigens include pollen, spores, foods, drugs, and dust mites.
Allergies are caused by our immune system protecting us too much!!!!!!!!!
