10.1.5

Human Defence Systems - Immune Systems

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The Immune System

If a pathogen passes the non-specific defences, the immune system is activated. The immune system is made up of different white blood cells, which have different functions.

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Phagocytosis

  • A white blood cell finds the pathogen and engulfs it by changing shape.
  • The white blood cell ingests (absorbs) and digests the pathogen, destroying it.
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Antibodies

  • White blood cells recognise foreign antigens (proteins) on the surface of pathogens and produce protein molecules called antibodies.
  • Antibodies are specific to particular pathogens.
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Autoimmune diseases

  • Sometimes the immune system doesn't function properly and attacks healthy body cells instead of pathogens.
  • Type 1 diabetes is caused by the immune system destroying cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

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