Immunity – Fighting Back

Macrophage

When microbes that cause harm (pathogens)

infect our bodies, there is a specific response
by our immune system to fight this infection.

There are specialised white blood cells that are

Lymphocytes responsible for this. They are:

 Macrophages
 T-Lymphocytes
 B-Lymphocytes
This scanning electron micrograph (courtesy of
Drs. Jan M. Orenstein and Emma Shelton) All of these cells have a specific purpose in
shows a single macrophage surrounded by
several lymphocytes. fighting infection. They are produced throughout
Source: the lymphatic system and in the bone marrow
http://home.comcast.net/~john.kimball1/BiologyPages/B/Blood.html
and are found mostly in the lymph
nodes.

Macrophages
Macrophages are phagocytes that engulf:
 Foreign material (antigens) that invade the body
 Dead body cells
Macrophages also signal T-lymphocytes into action

T-Lymphocytes (T-cells)
T-cells recognize antigens and stimulate B-lymphocytes to produce
antibodies.

Killer T-cells can attack body cells that are infected with a virus or cancer
cells.

B-Lymphocytes (B-Cells)
Stimulated by T-cells, B-cells produce antibodies

Specific antibodies are produced by specific B-cells. This can lead to a

delayed immune response. The antibodies are Y-shaped and bind to the
antigen making it easier for the macrophage to engulf.

Some of these B-cells are stored by the body in case the same antigen
appears again for a quicker response.

Task: Create a cartoon strip of the immune response when an

invading bacteria or virus enters the body.