Nursing Entrance Exam

Specific Defenses To get an idea of how the specific defense works, here’s an example: When a virus invades the body, it first attacks a single cell. From there, the virus copies itself repeatedly until much of the body is affected and infected. This is where the immune system takes action. First, it sends a spy known as a macrophage. The macrophage figures out that the virus is an enemy and does not belong. After the tiny spy moves toward the virus, it devours it. Next, the macrophage displays antigens on its surface. Antigens are fragments of the virus. The macrophage finds T cells that recognize fragments from the virus on the surface of the macrophage. When the macrophage meets a T cell and the T cell recognizes traces of the virus on its surface, the T cell and macrophage physically unite. This connecting of the cells creates a chain reaction that leads to the destruction of all copies of the virus inside the body. Meanwhile, helper T cells are produced and send out a chemical message, stimulating B cell production. This transitions to plasma cells that flood the invaded body with millions of antibodies ready to track down and eliminate foreign invaders (humoral immunity). The T cell response is called cell-mediated immunity. 7.5.1 Functions The key functions of the immune system include: • Identifying enemies: Specifically, immune-system cells are looking for viruses and other pathogens that have invaded healthy cells and begin reproducing, damaging the body. • Spotting tumors: In the same way, the immune system is responsible for recognizing tumors in the body and beginning the process of eliminating them. • Destroying enemies: Through a complex system of generating and dispatching helper cells, the immune system flags, recognizes, chases, and consumes the pathogens and tumors. • Building future immunity: A helpful fringe benefit is that the body develops future immunity against the virus for future attacks. This happens because of the immune system “flagging” the harmful pathogens and allowing the immune system to recognize it in future encounters. 7.5.2 Components • Antibodies: A blood protein that is manufactured by B cells in response to a specific antigen that has invaded the cells. These proteins, which resemble a capital “Y”, attach themselves to toxins, thus disabling their signals (chemical actions). They also send out a signal to the rest of the system that this is an invader which needs to be eliminated. • B cells: More specifically, a B lymphocyte is one that derives from bone marrow in order to provide the body with humoral immunity. The B cell recognizes an antigen and transforms into plasma cells, which are capable of inactivating the antigens. • Basophils: These are white blood cells that are involved with certain inflammatory reactions, especially those associated with allergies and asthma. • Bone marrow: Found within the bones, this fatty connective tissue can produce the white blood cells the immune system needs.

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