04-02-2014, 11:44 PM
SUMMARY
Contents:
Our bodies are constantly exposed to microorganisms present in our environment, including infectious agents that have been shed from other infected individuals. It is our immune system that enables us to resist infections. The immune system is composed of two major subdivisions, the innate or non-specific immune system and the adaptive or specific immune system. The innate immune system is our first line of defense against invading organisms while the adaptive immune system acts as a second line of defense and also affords protection against re-exposure to the same pathogen.
Each of the major subdivisions of the immune system has both cellular and humoral components by which they carry out their protective function. In addition, the innate immune system also has anatomical features that function as barriers to infection. Although these two arms of the immune system have distinct functions, there is interplay between these systems. Actually, contact with microorganisms may occur through external or internal epithelial surfaces. For a microorganism to invade the body, it must first bind to or cross an epithelium. Therefore, we can also state that epithelial surfaces of the body provide the first line of defense against infection.
Each of the major subdivisions of the immune system has both cellular and humoral components by which they carry out their protective function. In addition, the innate immune system also has anatomical features that function as barriers to infection. Although these two arms of the immune system have distinct functions, there is interplay between these systems. Actually, contact with microorganisms may occur through external or internal epithelial surfaces. For a microorganism to invade the body, it must first bind to or cross an epithelium. Therefore, we can also state that epithelial surfaces of the body provide the first line of defense against infection.
Contents:
SUMMARY 3
1 INTRODUCTION 3
2 The Immune System 4
2.1 Innate Immunity 5
2.2 Adaptive Immunity 7
3 CONCLUSION 9
TERMINOLOGY 11
REFERENCES 12
1 INTRODUCTION 3
2 The Immune System 4
2.1 Innate Immunity 5
2.2 Adaptive Immunity 7
3 CONCLUSION 9
TERMINOLOGY 11
REFERENCES 12