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Immune System Simulation
Purpose: To explore and explain some of the complexities of the human immune system in
the context of role-playing.
Basic format: Each student will be given an index card that will describe “who they are” and
what “their action” will be. It will be up to the student to carry out the action or actions as
indicated on the card.
The basic players and their actions.
Cell Type - to start
Action or actions
Naive B cell - (type E)
1) will bind with a virus (V) or bacteria (B) with antibody on
surface according to the antibody.
2) will “present” the antigen (V or B)
3) will “activate” Naive Helper T cell
3) after receiving interluekins from Activated Helper T cells,
will become “Effector B” cells.
4) will produce many antibodies (AB1-V or AB1-B as
appropriate), these will bind with loose antigens and render
them non-toxic. (Macrophage will devour).
Naive B cell - (type M)
1) will bind with a virus (V) or bacteria (B) with antibody on
surface according to the antibody.
2) will “present” the antigen (V or B)
3) will “activate” Naive Helper T cell
4) after receiving interleukins from Activated Helper T cells,
will become “Memory B” cells.
2) will be available for rapid production of antibodies in a
secondary response. (AB2)
Naive Helper T cell
1) interacts with antigen-presenting cells
2) becomes an Activated Helper T cell
3) after activation, will issue interleukins that will trigger naive
B (type E) cell to become “Effector B” cells.
4) after activation, will issue interleukins trigger naive B (type
M) cell to become “Memory B” cells
Somatic Cell
1) will become “infected” with a viral (V) or bacterial (B)
pathogen
2) will “present” the antigen
2) after attack from Effector Cytotoxic T cells, is dead.
Naive Cytotoxic T cell
1) after being exposed to interleukins, interacts with antigenpresenting somatic cells, becomes “Effector cytotoxic T cell”
2) Kills infected body cells
Somatic Cell - Cancerous
1) presents “non-self” proteins (ie. antigens) on surface
2) after attack from Effector Cytotoxic T cells, is dead.