THE IMMUNE SYSTEMBy: Brooke Skelly

WHAT IS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM?

• The immune system protects the body from disease and other damaging bodies.

• The immune system works hard to keep all other systems healthy.

PARTS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Thymus, white blood cells, antibodies, epidermis, cilia, mucus, and

saliva.

• Thymus ~ gland that releases a hormone that stimulates white

blood cell production

• White blood cells ~ attack invading bacteria

• Antibodies ~ identify and remove deadly antigens

• Epidermis ~ outer layer of cells that cover an organism

• Cilia ~ expel particles covered in mucus

• Mucus ~ a slimy substance that keeps things like the throat and

lungs moist

• Saliva ~ watery liquid in the mouth that lubricates chewing and

swallowing

LINES OF DEFENSE

• Physical & Chemical Barriers ~ barriers that

prevent disease causing organisms from entering

the body

• Nonspecific Resistance ~ responds to cells that

go unrecognized

• Specific Resistance ~ specific responses to

specific threats

VACCINE USE• A vaccine is a biological preparation that builds

immunity to a certain disease. Typically, a

vaccine includes a diseased agent.

DISEASES THAT HAVE VACCINES

1. Polio2. Rabies 3. Varicella

WORKING WITH OTHER SYSTEMS

• Circulatory ~ immune system cells use the heart

and blood vessels as a pathway

• Digestive ~ deciphers whether foregin

substances are food or pathogens

• Skeletal ~ provides the blood cells that the

immune system needs as a method of

transportation

FACTS

• The #1 way to boost immunity is to reduce

stress.

• Getting under 5 hours of sleep has been shown to

depress immune function in the body.

• People who lack humor in their lives tend to have

less protective immune responses.

• Dieting also weakens the immune system.