THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

What is the immune system

• Your immune system is a large network of
organs, white blood cells, proteins
(antibodies) and chemicals. This system
works together to protect you from foreign
invaders (bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi)
that cause infection, illness and disease.
WHAT ARE THE 5 PARTS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM?

•The main parts of the immune system are: white

blood cells, antibodies, the complement system,
the lymphatic system, the spleen, the thymus,
and the bone marrow. These are the parts of your
immune system that actively fight infection.
LOCATIONS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

•Primary lymphoid organs: These organs include the

bone marrow and the thymus. They create special
immune system cells called lymphocytes. Secondary
lymphoid organs: These organs include the lymph
nodes, the spleen, the tonsils and certain tissue in
various mucous membrane layers in the body (for
instance in the bowel).
•Our immune system is made up of both individual cells and
proteins as well as entire organs and organ systems. The
organs of the immune system include skin and mucous
membranes, and the organs of the lymphatic system too.
 Organs that function as barriers
• Your skin and mucous membranes are the first line of defense against germs
entering from outside the body. They act as a physical barrier with support from the
following:
• Antibacterial substances can kill germs right from the start. A certain enzyme
found in saliva, the airways and tear fluid destroys the cell walls of bacteria.
• Mucus in the bronchi helps trap many of the germs we breathe in so they can be
moved out of the airways by hair-like structures called cilia.
• Stomach acid stops most of the germs that enter the body in the food we eat.
• Harmless bacteria on our skin and many of the mucous membranes in our body
also act as part of the immune system.
• In addition, the reflexes that cause us to cough and sneeze help to free our airways
of germs.
PARTS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
PARTS OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

• Lymphoid organs
• The lymphatic system is composed of:
• Primary lymphoid organs: These organs include the bone marrow and the thymus.
They create special immune system cells called lymphocytes.
• Secondary lymphoid organs: These organs include the lymph nodes, the spleen, the
tonsils and certain tissue in various mucous membrane layers in the body (for instance in
the bowel). It is in these organs where the cells of the immune system do their actual job
of fighting off germs and foreign substances.
• Bone marrow
• Bone marrow is a sponge-like tissue found inside the bones.
That is where most immune system cells are produced and
then also multiply. These cells move to other organs and
tissues through the blood. At birth, many bones contain red
bone marrow, which actively creates immune system cells.
Over the course of our life, more and more red bone marrow
turns into fatty tissue. In adulthood, only a few of our bones
still contain red bone marrow, including the ribs, breastbone
and the pelvis.
• Thymus
• The thymus is located behind the breastbone above the heart.
This gland-like organ reaches full maturity only in children, and
is then slowly transformed to fatty tissue. Special types of
immune system cells called thymus cell lymphocytes (T cells)
mature in the thymus. Among other tasks, these cells
coordinate the processes of the innate and adaptive immune
systems. T cells move through the body and constantly monitor
the surfaces of all cells for changes.
• Lymph nodes
• Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped tissues found along the
lymphatic vessels. The lymph nodes act as filters. Various
immune system cells trap germs in the lymph nodes and
activate the creation of special antibodies in the blood. Swollen
or painful lymph nodes are a sign that the immune system is
active, for example to fight an infection.
• Spleen
• The spleen is located in the left upper abdomen, beneath the
diaphragm, and is responsible for different kinds of jobs:
• It stores various immune system cells. When needed, they
move through the blood to other organs. Scavenger cells
(phagocytes) in the spleen act as a filter for germs that get into
the bloodstream.
• It breaks down red blood cells (erythrocytes).
• It stores and breaks down platelets (thrombocytes), which are
responsible for the clotting of blood, among other things.
•There is always a lot of blood flowing through the
spleen tissue. At the same time this tissue is very soft.
In the event of severe injury, for example in an
accident, the spleen may rupture easily. Surgery is then
usually necessary because otherwise there is a danger
of bleeding to death. If the spleen needs to be removed
completely, other immune system organs can carry out
its roles.
• Tonsils
• The tonsils are also part of the immune system. Because of their
location at the throat and palate, they can stop germs entering the
body through the mouth or the nose. The tonsils also contain a lot
of white blood cells, which are responsible for killing germs. There
are different types of tonsils: palatine tonsils, adenoids and the
lingual tonsil. All of these tonsillar structures together are
sometimes called Waldeyer's ring since they form a ring around the
opening to the throat from the mouth and nose.
• There is also lymphatic tissue on the side of the throat, which can
perform the functions of the palatine tonsils if they are removed.
• Mucous membranes

• The bowel plays a central role in defending the body against germs: More
than half of all the body's cells that produce antibodies are found in the
bowel wall, especially in the last part of the small bowel and in the
appendix. These cells detect foreign substances, and then mark and
destroy them. They also save information about the substances in order
to be able to react more quickly the next time. The large bowel also
contains harmless bacteria called gastrointestinal or gut flora. Healthy gut
flora make it difficult for germs to spread and enter the body.
•Mucous membranes support the immune system in
other parts of the body, too, such as the respiratory
and urinary tracts, and the lining of the vagina. The
immune system cells are directly beneath the mucous
membranes, where they prevent bacteria and viruses
from attaching.
•Our immune system is essential for our survival.
Without an immune system, our bodies would be open
to attack from bacteria, viruses, parasites, and more. It
is our immune system that keeps us healthy as we drift
through a sea of pathogens.
•This vast network of cells and tissues is
constantly on the lookout for invaders, and
once an enemy is spotted, a complex attack
is mounted.
•The immune system is spread throughout the body and
involves many types of cells, organs, proteins, and
tissues. Crucially, it can distinguish our tissue from
foreign tissue — self from non-self. Dead and faulty
cells are also recognized and cleared away by the
immune system.
•White blood cells are also called leukocytes. They
circulate in the body in blood vessels and the lymphatic
vessels that parallel the veins and arteries.
•White blood cells are on constant patrol and looking
for pathogens. When they find a target, they begin to
multiply and send signals out to other cell types to do
the same.
• Our white blood cells are stored in different places in the body, which are
referred to as lymphoid organs. These include the following:
• Thymus — a gland between the lungs and just below the neck.
• Spleen — an organ that filters the blood. It sits in the upper left of the
abdomen.
• Bone marrow — found in the center of the bones, it also produces red
blood cells.
• Lymph nodes —small glands positioned throughout the body, linked by
lymphatic vessel
2 MAIN TYPES OF LEUKOCYTES

• 1. Phagocytes
• These cells surround and absorb pathogens and break them down, effectively eating them.
There are several types, including:
• Neutrophils — these are the most common type of phagocyte and tend to attack bacteria.
• Monocytes — these are the largest type and have several roles.
• Macrophages — these patrol for pathogens and also remove dead and dying cells.
• Mast cells — they have many jobs, including helping to heal wounds and defend against
pathogens.
•2. Lymphocytes
•Lymphocytes help the body to remember previous
invaders and recognize them if they come back to
attack again.
•Lymphocytes begin their life in bone marrow. Some
stay in the marrow and develop into B lymphocytes (B
cells), others head to the thymus and become T
lymphocytes (T cells). These two cell types have
different roles:
•B lymphocytes — they produce antibodies and help
alert the T lymphocytes.
•T lymphocytes — they destroy compromised cells in
the body and help alert other leukocytes.
• An antigen is any substance that can spark an immune response. ( an
antigen is a short cut for antibody generators)
• In many cases, an antigen is a bacterium, fungus, virus, toxin, or foreign body.
But it can also be one of our own cells that is faulty or dead. Initially, a range of
cell types works together to recognize the antigen as an invader.
•Antibodies are special proteins that lock on to specific
antigens.
•Antibodies are part of a large family of chemicals
called immunoglobulins, which play many roles in
the immune response:
• Immunoglobulin G (IgG) — marks microbes so other cells can recognize and deal
with them.
• IgM — is expert at killing bacteria.
• IgA — congregates in fluids, such as tears and saliva, where it protects gateways into the
body.
• IgE — protects against parasites and is also to blame for allergies.
• IgD — stays bound to B lymphocytes, helping them to start the immune response.
•Antibodies lock onto the antigen, but they do
not kill it, only mark it for death. The killing is
the job of other cells, such as phagocytes.
• The role of T lymphocytes
• There are distinct types of T lymphocytes:
• Helper T cells (Th cells) — they coordinate the immune
response. Some communicate with other cells, and some
stimulate B cells to produce more antibodies. Others attract
more T cells or cell-eating phagocytes.
• Killer T cells (cytotoxic T lymphocytes) — as the name
suggests, these T cells attack other cells. They are particularly
useful for fighting viruses. They work by recognizing small parts
of the virus on the outside of infected cells and destroy the
infected cells.
IMMUNE SYSTEM TAKE AWAYS

• Everyone’s immune system is different but, as a general rule, it becomes stronger during
adulthood as, by this time, we have been exposed to more pathogens and developed
more immunity.

• Once an antibody has been produced, a copy remains in the body so that if the same
antigen appears again, it can be dealt with more quickly.
• Once an antibody has been produced, a copy remains in the body so that if the same
antigen appears again, it can be dealt with more quickly.
• That is why with some diseases, such as chickenpox, you only get it once as the body has
a chickenpox antibody stored, ready and waiting to destroy it next time it arrives. This is
called immunity.
•
• Innate immunity
• We are all born with some level of immunity to invaders. Human immune systems,. This
innate immunity includes the external barriers of our body — the first line of defense
against pathogens — such as the skin and mucous membranes of the throat and gut.
• Adaptive (acquired) immunity
• This protect from pathogens develops as we go through life. As
we are exposed to diseases or get vaccinated, we build up a
library of antibodies to different pathogens. This is sometimes
referred to as immunological memory because our immune
system remembers previous enemies.
• Passive immunity
• This type of immunity is “borrowed” from another source, but
it does not last indefinitely. For instance, a baby receives
antibodies from the mother through the placenta before birth
and in breast milk following birth. This passive immunity
protects the baby from some infections during the early years
of their life.
• Immunizations
• Immunization introduces antigens or weakened pathogens to a
person in such a way that the individual does not become sick
but still produces antibodies. Because the body saves copies of
the antibodies, it is protected if the threat should reappear
later in life.
•
• End of slide. Thank you for reading/listening