immune system Flashcards
immune system
network comprised of many biological structures and processes that protect the body from pathogens and disease
antigen
toxin or foreign substance that creates a immune response in the body
antibody
blood proteins that are produced to counteract a specific antigen
innate immune system
subsystem of the immune system that means something is already present within the body
-in the body already
adaptive immune system
subsystem of the immune system that means something that is created in response to exposure
-adapting to something
what is immunodeficiency
occurs when the immune system is less active than normal that results in recurring or life threatening infections
what is autoimmunity?
hyperactive immune system attacks the normal tissue as if they were foreign organisms
lymphatic system
part of the vascular system and a major component of the immune system
-composed of a large network of lymphatic vessels that carry lymph
-not a closed system
how does the lymph drain from the back back into circulation?
-right lymphatic duct drains to upper right portion of the body into the subclavian vein
-thoracic duct on the left drains the rest of the body into the left subclavian vein
-lymph nodes filter the fluid to remove foreign substances
lymph nodes
organs that filter lymph
-slow flow
-typically found near junctions of the major lymphatic vessels
lymphocytes
produced by the lymphatic system that aids the immune system
-includes natural killer cells, T cells and B cells
what does the interference of the lymphatic drainage lead to
edema
spleen
outside the ribs above the stomach
-blood storage
-filters blood
-makes white blood cells and antibodies
how does our immune system protect us
recognition sites on the cells detect if it is a body’s cell or an antigen
-has defense mechanisms that can recognize a pathogen
basics of autoimmune disease
failure of self tolerance
-cross reactivity
-abnormal exposure of self-antigens
