How the body keeps germs out and fights those that get in. Innate and acquired immunity, antibodies, the organs of the immune system, vaccines, allergy and autoimmunity, and the way HIV attacks the helper T cells and causes AIDS.
3 lessons, about 1 h 30 min3 simulations11 problems3 practice questionsPython in every lesson
Created by StemPy LabImmunity is the power of the body to fight disease causing organisms. Innate immunity is present from birth and works the same way against every germ, through four kinds of barriers. The immune system is a set of organs and cells: bone marrow and thymus where lymphocytes mature, and spleen, lymph nodes and other tissues where they meet the antigens.
Acquired immunity is specific to a pathogen and has a memory: a second meeting gives a faster and stronger response. B cells make antibodies, which have two heavy and two light chains. T cells mediate the cell-mediated response. Vaccination uses the memory to protect us before the disease comes.
An allergy is an exaggerated response to a harmless antigen, with IgE, mast cells and histamine. In an autoimmune disease the body attacks its own cells. AIDS is caused by HIV, a retrovirus that destroys the helper T cells and leaves the body open to other infections.
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