-It recognises specific pathogens, cancer cells and
certain chemicals and defends the body against them.
-Immunity means the body resistance to the
pathogen which causes a specific disease. Antigens -The external surface of an invading microorganism contains specific molecules called antigens.
-Antigens are subtances, usually proteins,
that the immune system recognises as foreign or not part of the body. Antigens are normally found on the outer surface of an invading microorganism.
-Example: snake venom and bacterial
toxins. Immune response
-When the immune system
identifies the antigens invading the body, it is stimulated to defend the body against those antigens. This type of defence is known as an immune response.
-Each antigens induces
certain lymphocytes to secrete specific antibodies that only react specifically with that antigens. Antibodies -Antibodies are proteins found on the surface of lymphocytes, or proteins released by lymphocytes into the blood plasma.
-The interaction between the
antibody and the antigen which result in the elimination of the antigen from the body- immune response. Antigen-binding site or antigen receptor -Highly specific. -Each binding site has a particular shape that fits the one found on the antigen. How antibodies work -After is bound to the antibody molecule, the antigen can be destroyed in several way. Hence the lymphatic system not only plays a role in returning excess interstitial fluid to the circulatory system, but -it also helps defend the body against invasion by pathogens.
-When a person has an infection, pathogens and white blood
cells collect in great numbers in the lymph nodes.
The lymph nodes may be swollen.
-The lymph nodes contain macrophages that destroy bacteria,
dead tissues and other foreign substances through phogocytosis.They also contain lymphocytes that destroy antigens and foreign organism. 4 ways antibodies work NALO Neutralisation- An antibody neutralises the toxins produced by the bacteria by binding to a toxin molecule. This prevents the toxin molecule from attaching to a cell and causing damage.
Agglutination- Antibodies cause the pathogen to clump
together. This clumping makes it easy for the phogocytes to capture and destroy the pathogens.
Lysis-Antibodies that bind to the antigens and cause the
antigens to rupture and disintegrate.
Opsonisation-Opsonins are antibodies that bind to
antigens toact as markers so that antigens can be easily recognised and destroyed by phagocytes.