The Immune System

By: Kasia Kolodziejczak Quest. 1

Marti Simmons Quest. 2

Jeremy Varga Quest. 3

Ryan Bresnaham Quest. 4

Question 1: The parts of the Immune System

By: Kasia Kolodziejczak

Antigens• Antigens, are the special

proteins (not only proteins) that cover every single cell in our body. When the special immune cells of the immune system travel in our body, they check if all antigens are “ours”. Some antigens are foreign to our body, which makes the special cells of the immune system proceed to an immune response.

Macrophages• Macrophages are believed to

be responsible for the initial attack against an invasion launched by, for example, bacteria. By the call of the helper T-cells, the macrophages move into the infected area and start attacking the bacteria. When in the infected area, they can be stimulated to release chemicals toxic to the pathogens.

Helper T-Cells• The Helper T-cells’ role

in the system is to activate many immune cells including B-cells, to do their job of creating antibodies and so on. Whenever they contact a foreign antigen they send a signal for “help” and order the special cells to go to work.

Memory T-Cells• Memory T-cells, that once

were B and T cells, are the cells that remember each foreign antigen that ever entered the body. This is why you usually never end up getting the chicken pox a second time, because your Memory T-cells remember how to fight the pathogen off.

Suppressor T-Cells• Suppressor T-cells

have pretty much a very simple job yet important. They go through the body and slow down or stop the activities of B-cells and T-cells when the invader is eliminated.

Killer T-Cells• The role of the Killer

T-cells is to destroy the cells that have been invaded by the foreign organisms. They let out a special enzyme that eat the infected cell. Killer T-cells can also destroy cancer cells.

B-Cells• Their major role is to produce

antibodies to fight off the foreign bacteria, viruses, and tumor cells. When the Helper T-cells come to the B-cells, they tell the B-cells to produce a certain kind of antibody (since each antibody adheres to a special antigen). To do this, the B-cells produce large plasma cells. The plasma cells each have one specific antibody to produce. They are the factory of antibodies.

Antibodies

• Antibodies are special proteins that are Y-shaped. The tips of the branches are sensitive to specific antigens. When they encounter that specific antigen, they cling to it. When the antibody clings to the pathogen, it enables it from moving around through the cell walls.

Thymus

• The thymus is located between your two collar bones. It is responsible for producing mature T-cells. The “immature” T-cells leave the bone marrow where they were formed and enter the thymus to go through their thymic education. Some T-cells may be detrimental to the immune system so they are eliminated. The rest of the mature T-cells are released into the blood stream.

Bone Marrow

• The bone marrow produces B-cells, natural killer cells, granulocytes and immature T-cells. When formed in the bone marrow, the cells differentiate into either mature cells of the immune system, or continue their maturation in another part of the immune cells.

Spleen• The spleen acts as a filter of the

immune system. It is made up of B-cells, T-cells, macrophages, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, and red blood cells. The spleen captures antigens or foreign materials from the blood. It also can do another job. Macrophages bring antigens and present it to the appropriate B or T cells. Then the B-cells become activated and produce large amounts of antibodies. The spleen is referred to as a conference center.

Lymph Nodes • The lymph nodes are not just in one place of your body. The lymph nodes are composed of B-cells, T-cells, dendritic cells and macrophages. The lymph nodes filter a bodily fluid named lymph. When the lymph goes through the lymph nodes, antigens are filtered before entering the bloodstream again. The lymph nodes are also a place for an immune response. That is why your mom checks the sides of your neck to see if the lymph nodes are swollen. If they are, then there is a fight going on on your lymph nodes.

Question 2Question 2

By Marti Simmons

How the different parts of the immune system work together

The first line of defense is the Skin and Mucous. They block entry into the body. The reason mucous is part of the first line of defense is that there are openings in the skin, such as the nose and mouth.

Patrolling Scavenger cells

The next stage of the immune system is the patrolling scavenger cells (macrophages), that seek out foreign bodies. There are also other enzymes and chemicals.

Thymus

The Thymus is located between the breast bone and heart. It produces mature T cells. It also helps with the maturing of T cell.

The Spleen

Filters blood looking for cells that do not belong in the body.

Lymph System Found throughout the body. It produces a clear liquid that covers cells with water and nutrients. It helps find and remove bacteria. When you are sick you can feel your swollen lymph nodes, this shows that your lymph system is at work.

Bone marrow

Bone Marrow produces new blood cells. It produces both red and white. They make them from stem cells.

Antibodies

Antibodies are produced by white blood cells. When they connect to the outer layer of a virus, it stops it’s movement through the cell walls. Helping to stop it so it can be dealt with.

Complement System

This system is a series of proteins. They float freely throughout the blood system.

Viruses

My report is on three viruses and three bacteria's.

• Travels through lymphocytes, monocyk. It is an ultimate devastation of the immune system. It kills off the helper t cells and then they cannot call the killer t cells.

• Commonly called the flu, caused by the viruses that infect the respiratory tract. Also causes strep throat. The infection of the flu can cause serious illness.

• R.S.V (respiratory syneythial virus) is the major cause of illness in younger children Occurs in children 3 years of age or younger. It can be transmitted by a cold, it causes respiratory tract problems which can be fatal.

• Anthrax is a biological weapon which is an infectious substance that is so finely chopped that it can become airborne instantly. Fatal disease of warm blooded animals caused by the bacterium.

• Most strands are harmless and living in the intestines of healthy animals and humans. 0157:h7 is a strand of the bacteria that is harmful and produces a toxin that can cause serious illness.

• this bacteria is the result of an infection that effects the muscles and nerves. It is usually due to a contaminated wound. It begins with muscle spasms like lockjaw making it difficult to swallow.

Sources

• The sources I used to complete this project is the internet askjeeves.com, a dictionary, Mrs. Syczhs home page, and Mr. Hand’s homepage.

How vaccines work

• How do vaccines work? A weakened form of the germ is injected into the body. The body makes antibodies to fight these invaders. If the actual disease ever attacks the body the antibodies will still be there to destroy them.

What are Vaccines

• A vaccine is a weakened form of a disease. It is either a killed form of a disease or it is a similar, but less virulent strain. Vaccines may be produced by viruses or bacteria, although they are most effective on viral diseases.

How are vaccines made? Who makes them?

• Scientists and doctors make vaccines. Scientists and doctors who make them, grow the virus then they weaken it or kill it and that is the vaccine. A vaccine is made from an antigen isolated or produced from the disease- causing microorganism

The first vaccine

• The first vaccine was introduced by the British physician Edward Jenner in 1796 when he noted the virus of cowpox could produce lasting protection against smallpox.