Download The Immune System

The
Immune
System
Unit 1-11 Notes
Mr. Hefti – Pulaski
Biology
Immune System Fun Facts
1. Getting under 5 hours of sleep a night has been shown to
greatly depress immune function.
2. Humor has been shown to stimulate the immune system.
3. Toxins such as air pollution, pesticides and even second-hand
smoke can affect your body's natural defense system.
4. There are around 50 billion white blood cells in your body
whose only interest is to keep your body's natural defenses in
good condition. Don't worry if you lose 5 billion when you give
blood – they will be replaced soon!
5. While the body needs some sunlight to produce vitamin D,
too much sunshine can suppress the immune system.
6. The number one way to boost the immune system is to reduce
stress.
What does this
organ system do?
The immune
system prevents
infections and
detects and
destroys
pathogens that
get into your
body.
1st line of nonspecific
defenses…
Skin, oil, sweat, mucus
membranes…
Act as barriers blocking
entry of pathogens; also
make body inhospitable
to them and trap them.
2nd line of defenses (specific)…
Inflammatory response: increase in blood
flow brings WBCs to infection site
Fever: increase in body T kills many harmful
microbes
Proteins: circulate in blood preventing
infections
WBCs: patrol bloodstream attacking
pathogens
Types of
WBCs…
Macrophage
Neutrophil
Natural killer cell
Helper T cell
Cytotoxic T cell
B cell
The key with WBCs is to remember
that there are several types of cells
all working together to protect you
from disease.
Plasma cell
Memory cell
Make connections…
• How do the other organ systems rely upon the
immune system for their proper functioning?
• The immune system protects the body from disease.
• Why does the immune system rely upon the
endocrine system and the circulatory system?
– Hormones contribute to the proper growth of
many immune cells and the circulatory system
transports the WBCs to where they are needed.