Download Immune System - Distribution Access

TEACHER’S GUIDE
15.What is an antibody?
16. How do phagocytes destroy microscopic invaders?
17.What does it mean to be immune to a disease? How can that happen?
18.What is the difference between active and passive immunity?
19. How can vaccines help us?
20.Why is it important to take a complete course of antibiotics even after
you are feeling better?
TEACHER’S GUIDE
TEACHER’S GUIDE
Suggested Print Resources
• Balkwill, Fran. Cell Wars. Carolrhoda Books, Minneapolis, MN; 1993.
• Brynie, Faith Hickman. 101 Questions About Your Immune System You Felt
Defenseless to Answer ... Until Now. Twenty First Century Books, New York,
NY; 2000.
• Frielander, Mark P. The Immune System: Your Body’s Disease Fighting
Army. Lerner Publications, New York, NY; 1998.
Follow-up Discussion
Research indicates that students will retain their previous misconceptions
about a topic, in preference to new information, until they actively recognize and correct their own errors. Therefore, it is important to have your
students re-examine the facts/beliefs they put on their “Everything We
Think We Know About…” list. It might also be helpful to review the list by
marking each entry with a “+” or “-” to show which facts were correct and
which were incorrect.
Thought-provoking discussions provide a good way to assess the overall
depth of student understanding. The following are some suggested discussion topics.
• Explain the inflammatory response.
• Explain how the immune system “remembers” pathogens.
• Discuss why the development of sanitation methods has saved more lives
around the world than all medicines and medical treatment combined!
Follow-up Activities
• Encourage students to design experiments to determine if bacteria are
growing on drinking fountains, doorknobs, coins or payphones.
• Have students work in small groups to research specific vaccines that are
required for school entrance and the history of the diseases they are
designed to prevent, and report what they have learned to the class.
• Using the Internet, have students find out about the work of three scientists who have contributed significantly to the field of immunology.
Suggested Internet Resources
Periodically, Internet Resources are updated on our Web site at
www.LibraryVideo.com
• kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/allergy/allergies.html
The Kid’s Health site developed by the Nemours Foundation explains
how allergies are caused when a person’s immune system overreacts.
• www.westnet.com/~rickd/AIDS/AIDS1.html
This site was written by middle school students and contains various
information on AIDS prevention, transmission, symptoms, treatment and
how the immune system fights disease.
5
Immune System
Grades 5–8
S
tudents in grade 5–8 classrooms possess a wide range of
background knowledge. Student response to this video
program is sure to be varied, so the teachers at these grades
need all the help they can get! This guide has been designed
to help the 5–8 science teacher by providing a brief synopsis of the program, previewing and follow-up questions,
activities, vocabulary and additional resources.
Before Viewing: Extensive research tells how important
it is for the teacher to discover what the students know —
or think they know — about a topic, before actually starting a new unit.Therefore, after prompting discussion with
the pre-viewing questions, lead your class to create an
“Everything We Think We Know About…” list.You may also
wish to preview key vocabulary words, and have students
raise additional questions they hope will be answered.
TEACHER’S GUIDE CONSULTANT
Conrad M. Follmer
25 years as a K–5 Science & Math Coordinator for a Pennsylvania public
school system, currently an independent consultant to elementary schools.
TITLES
• THE BRAIN & THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
• CELLS
• CIRCULATORY & RESPIRATORY
SYSTEMS
• DIGESTIVE & EXCRETORY SYSTEMS
• GENES & HEREDITY
Teacher’s Guides Included
and Available Online at:
• HEALTH & NUTRITION
• IMMUNE SYSTEM
• INTERRELATIONSHIP OF THE
BODY SYSTEMS
• REPRODUCTIVE & ENDOCRINE
SYSTEMS
• SKELETAL & MUSCULAR SYSTEMS
After Viewing: Have your students share video excerpts
that fascinated or surprised them, then challenge your students to prove or disprove the accuracy of the facts they
put on their “Everything We Think We Know About…” list.
Discuss what else they learned and use the follow-up questions and activities to inspire further discussion. Encourage
students to research the topic further with the Internet and
reading resources provided.
800-843-3620
S
R
CHLESSINGE
MEDIA
A DIVISION OF LIBRARY VIDEO COMPANY®
Copyright 2001 by Schlessinger Media, a division of Library Video Company
P.O. Box 580, Wynnewood, PA 19096 • 800-843-3620
Executive Producers: Andrew Schlessinger & Tracy Mitchell
Programs produced and directed by Fabian-Baber, Inc.
All rights reserved
®
Program Summary
Vocabulary
The human body’s immune system always stands guard to protect us against
microscopic germs that can cause infection and disease. Some common
disease-causing microorganisms are viruses, fungi, protozoa and bacteria.
These organisms that cause infectious diseases are commonly called
pathogens.They find their way into our bodies through openings such as the
eyes, nose and mouth. Fortunately, the human immune system maintains a
number of lines of defense to protect us from pathogen invaders.The skin that
covers our body is the first line of defense, acting as a barrier that keeps out
germs. Bodily secretions like tears wash away some germs while saliva, gastric
juices and mucus trap and kill many pathogens, and sneezing and coughing
can expel others.
The immune system’s second line of defense, the inflammatory response,
takes over when the first line fails. Inflammatory literally means “on fire.” In
the case of a cut on the skin, chemicals are released by special nearby cells
that cause the temperature in the area of the cut to rise.This signals white
blood cells to gather and destroy any foreign substances. Similarly, in the case
of a general infection, the temperature of the whole body is raised, causing a
fever. If the invader happens to be a virus, infected cells release chemicals
called interferons that help prevent the virus from spreading.
The third line of defense of the body’s immune system is the powerful lymphatic system.The lymphatic system filters foreign substances and cell debris
from the blood and produces white blood cells known as lymphocytes.This
system is a vast network of vessels, lymph nodes and organs such as the tonsils,
thymus and spleen. Special lymphocytes called T cells patrol the bloodstream
searching for pathogens.T cells “remember” the types of invaders that have
entered the body before and are ready to tag them.When they find a familiar
pathogen, they call in the B cells to produce antibodies that are specifically
designed to match the pathogen, like keys in a lock. Next, the B cells signal for
other lymphocytes called phagocytes to surround the pathogen and destroy it.
Once the immune system destroys most of the pathogens carrying the specific disease, you start to feel better and get well.The T cells “remember” how
to defeat it, and the antibodies in your immune system are ready and waiting
to stop the disease in its tracks the next time you are exposed.This is called
active immunity.A medicine that works with your immune system and prevents you from having to actually suffer through a disease is called a vaccine.
Passive immunity to a disease comes when antibodies are introduced into the
bloodstream from an external source, such as when a mother passes them to
her unborn child. However, passive immunity does not last long because the
body does not learn how to make those specific antibodies.
While the immune system is truly a master of self-defense, many diseases can
be prevented through good health, hygiene and lifestyle choices. It is important to keep your immune system strong by getting rest, eating a balanced diet
and doing physical activity so it can continue to protect you throughout your
life.
The following words are included for teacher reference or for use with
students.They are listed in the order in which they appear in the video.
2
phagocytes — Special lymphocytes that destroy pathogens tagged by B
pathogens — Microscopic organisms like viruses, fungi, protozoa and bacte-
and T cells.
phagocytosis — The process of engulfing and digesting foreign particles.
immunity — The ability of an organism to resist disease by identifying
ria that can invade the human body, potentially causing disease.
and destroying foreign substances or organisms.
disease — Any illness that affects the health of an organism.
infectious diseases — Also known as contagious diseases; illnesses caused
passive immunity — Temporary immunity acquired by the introduction
by pathogens that can spread from one person to others. Infectious diseases
can be passed on through a handshake, a kiss, a sneeze, or by an infected
person handling food that is eaten by other people.
noninfectious diseases — Illnesses that cannot be spread by contact with
infected persons. Noninfectious diseases are caused by heredity, unhealthy
lifestyles, environmental hazards and the normal aging process.
gene — A section of a chromosome, made up of DNA. A given gene provides
the information that a cell needs to create a specific protein. Some diseases
can be passed through genes.
immune system — All the cells and organs in your body that protect you
from disease, consisting of the skin, specialized blood cells, organs like the
lymph nodes, thymus, spleen and tonsils, as well as secretions.The immune
system is responsible for protecting the body from microscopic invaders.
enzymes — Proteins made by living cells that are used by the body to start
chemical reactions.
inflammatory response — The immune system’s second line of defense,
when the body raises the temperature of a local area to destroy pathogens and
bring in disease-fighting white blood cells.
interferons — Small proteins produced by a cell that has been taken over
by a virus.These proteins rush to uninfected neighboring cells to plug up
their receptors, preventing a virus from infecting them.
of antibodies from an external source. Passive immunity occurs during
pregnancy when antibodies from the mother are passed into the fetal
bloodstream.
Jonas Salk — (1914–1995) The doctor who, in 1954, developed a vaccine
against a virus that causes a paralyzing disease called poliomyelitis, or polio.
antibiotic — A medication that can slow the growth of disease-causing
bacteria.
Pre-viewing Discussion
Before students generate their list of “Everything We Think We Know
About…” for this topic, stimulate and focus their thinking by raising these
questions so that their list will better reflect the key ideas in this show:
• What are the body’s physical barriers against germs?
• How do diseases spread?
• What is a vaccine?
After the class has completed their “Everything We Think We Know
About…” list, ask them what other questions they have that they hope will
be answered during this program. Have students listen closely to learn if
everything on their class list is accurate and to hear if any of their own
questions are answered.
Focus Questions
marrow. Some B cells produce antibodies, designed for specific pathogens,
usually rendering them harmless. B cells can also act as a “homing device” to
attract phagocytes in to destroy the tagged invader.
(Continued)
1.What are pathogens?
2. How can bacteria be both helpful and harmful to living things?
3.What is an example of an infectious disease?
4.What are some noninfectious diseases?
5.What are the parts of the human body involved in the immune system?
6.What is the first line of defense of the immune system?
7.What is the second line of defense of the immune system?
8.What is a fever?
9. How do interferons help someone who has been infected with a virus?
10.What are the different parts of the lymphatic system?
11.What causes swollen glands?
12.What are lymphocytes?
13.What is one job of the T cells?
14. How do B cells disable intruders?
(Continued)
3
4
receptors — The openings in cell walls through which cells get their nutrients.Viruses also enter host cells through their receptors.
lymphocytes — White blood cells that respond to specific pathogens.
antibodies — Proteins produced by B cells in response to foreign invaders
in the blood stream.Antibodies fit into the invader’s surface and disable it.
T cells — Special lymphocytes in the bloodstream that mature in the thymus
gland.T cells have many roles; some regulate the activities of other immune
cells, some identify and remember pathogens, and others destroy invaders.
When a T cell identifies a pathogen (“remembering” it from previous infections), it calls in B cells to make antibodies.
B cells — Special lymphocytes in the bloodstream that mature in the bone