Elaborate immune response system and their categories, Biology

Assignment Help:

Elaborate Immune Response system and their categories?

The immune response is a group of defenses that the body has developed to combat disease-producing agents, or pathogens. The most common pathogens are bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and a few invertebrate multicellular organisms.

One of the primary means of defense against invasion by pathogens is the normal body flora; that is, bacteria and fungi that live and reproduce in great numbers on skin surfaces, mucous membranes, and in the gastrointestinal tract. The natural flora compete with pathogens for nutrients, and some produce inhibitory compounds that are toxic to pathogens. Other lines of defense include mucus and cilia in the respiratory tract, an enzyme called lysozyme in tears and saliva, acid in the stomach, bile salts, and the acid secreted by the vagina.

The immune response can be divided into two categories: non-specific and specific defenses. One of the non-specific defenses are the phagocytes. The phagocytes involved here are of two types: neutrophils, small white cells with irregular nuclei; and macrophages, large white cells. Pathogenic microorganisms become attached to the membrane of a phagocyte, and engulfed in an endocytic vesicle by phagocytosis. Lysosomes then fuse with the vesicles, and destroy them with enzymes called lysozymes. A single phagocyte can lyse (break down) up to 25 bacteria.

Another non-specific defense against pathogens is inflammation, a generalized body response to infection, mechanical injuries, and burns. The blood capillaries in the affected tissues become more permeable ("leaky"), and plasma and some white blood cells escape into the surrounding tissues where they can deal with the problem. In these cases, problems might range from fighting off invading viruses or bacteria to cleaning up broken cell parts or dead cells.

Infection that extends throughout the body, or generalized infection, is accompanied by fever. Elevated temperature actually slows growth or kills certain pathogens. However, if the temperature is too high, it can damage body tissues, particularly brain cells. Viral infections cause the infected cells to produce small amounts of a glycoprotein substance called interferon. Interferon interferes with the replication of viruses. Interferons affect any type of virus. Genetic engineers are able to synthesize interferon in vitro; that is, in the laboratory, and it is being used to combat many types of viral diseases.


Related Discussions:- Elaborate immune response system and their categories

What is the function of the collagen fibers, What is the function of the co...

What is the function of the collagen fibers of the connective tissue? There are dissimilar collagen types. The major function of these proteins is to keep the shape and the str

Function of noradrenaline in consciousness, Q. Function of Noradrenaline in...

Q. Function of Noradrenaline in consciousness? Increased level of noradrenalin is implicated in wakefulness. Locus coeruleus noradrenergic neurons decrease their rate of firing

What are prophylactic measures against hiv infection, Q. What are some prop...

Q. What are some prophylactic measures against HIV infection? The major prophylactic measures against HIV infection are: the use of condoms in sexual relations, not to share ne

Test, which area of the basal nuclei is responsible for controlling appendi...

which area of the basal nuclei is responsible for controlling appendicular muscle tone?

Infectious and chronic diseases, Infectious and Chronic Diseases The m...

Infectious and Chronic Diseases The most prevalent diseases of poverty, many of which are also infectious by nature, are malaria, tuberculosis, respiratory infections, water b

What is autologous transfusion, Question 1 What is autologous transfusi...

Question 1 What is autologous transfusion? Discuss how would you handle and prepare blood for autologous blood transfusion. List the advantages of autologous transfusion Qu

How many progeny flies are expected, How many progeny flies are expected to...

How many progeny flies are expected to have full wings and gray bodies?

Classify suture materials, Classify suture materials Sutures can broad...

Classify suture materials Sutures can broadly be classified into two kinds - Absorbable: will break down harmlessly in the body over time without intervention, Non-absor

Zoology, what is the term used for study of sponges,protozoa,colentreta,mol...

what is the term used for study of sponges,protozoa,colentreta,molusca,fish,aves,mammal

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd