Principles of Immunology

Introduction

Immune response

Phagocytosis

Humoral immunity and cell-mediated immunity

Common flu

Vaccinations

Monoclonal antibodies

How Science Works

Introduction

Immunity against invading pathogens is a crucial part of maintaining health. The body has adaptations which prevent invasion by pathogens, as well as processes in place to deal with those that manage to penetrate the body’s primary defenses. The skin and mucous membranes (e.g. mouth) are examples of such defenses. Sweat contains lysozyme which is an enzyme that breaks down bacterial walls.

Immune response

If pathogens do invade the body, the subsequent immune response is split between:

1. Non-specific
2. Specific


The non-specific immune response is inflammation and phagocytosis.

Phagocytosis

White cells (the most common ones are neutrophils) engulf any foreign particles such as dust or bacteria, then digest them and dispose off of the remains. It’s badass trust me i’ve got proof:

The enzymes used to break invaders down are lysosomes which fuse with the vesicle which contains the bacteria. All this action happens within the white cell. At the end, the undigested leftovers are disposed off of by exocytosis (kind of like a burp)….

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