If it weren't for the red mass that appears

A mosquito lands on your arm, Your immune system keeps you safe, the
accompanied by the dreaded itch, you
injects its venom into your skin, main line of defense against infection,
wouldn't even notice it was there. It's
illness, and disease in your body.
and starts feeding. inconvenient, yet that bump is a vital signal.

Leukocytes work like security personnel,

This system is a vast network of cells, tissues, The immune system relies on millions of
constantly screening the blood, tissues, and
and organs that coordinate your body’s defensive white blood cells,also known as
organs for suspicious signs.This system mainly
defenses against any threats to your health. leukocytes,that originate in our bone
relies on cues called antigens.
marrow.

A group of lymphocyte cells called T-cells go in

Despite this diversity, we classify leukocytes in two It destroy any foreign cells they encounter, simply by
search of infected body cells and swiftly kill them off.
main cellular groups which coordinate a two- consuming them which allows phagocytes to identify

the antigen on the invaders they just ingested and Meanwhile, B-cells and helper T-cells use the
pronged attack.First, phagocytes trigger the
transmit this information to the second major cell group information gathered from the unique antigens to
immune response by sending macrophages and
orchestrating the defense, lymphocytes. start producing special proteins called antibodies.
dendritic cells into the blood.
 Immunoglobulins are often referred to in shorthand IG molecules contains two identical strands of heavy
Each antigen has a unique, matching
as simply Ig. Ig’s are Y shaped molecules which chains and light chains the side of the IG that has two
antibody that can latch onto it like a lock
connect on one end to an invading microbe which is heavy chains forms a stable non-variable receptor point

and key, and destroy the invading cells. called an effector this part of the IG molecule binds
known as an antigen and then they connect on the

other end to bind with various white cells. with our own immune system cells.

The opposite end of the antibody are two antigen These specialized antibody molecules come in different
IgG’s use single Y chains. This is the only
binding sites each with a light chain and a heavy shapes and sizes which provide a great deal of
type of antibody that can cross the
flexibility in matching and destroying targeted antigens
chain combination forms highly variable tips that
and can be memorized using the acronyms GAMED.
placenta in the gestation period.
can adapt to specifically match a wide range of

antigens.

IGg’s target pathogenic organisms such as bacteria viruses and IgA use a double Y chains this type of antibody is
IgM commonly found in lymph fluid and blood to
parasitic worms they attach to the antigens on one end while the
found in the nose and other breathing passages or
opposite end binds with a phagocyte white cell including immediately responds to an infection. IgM s are
airways. It is also present in the alimentary tract,
macrophages neutrophils and natural killer cells which absorb known as a macroglobulin because of their
and destroy the antigen IgG is the smallest of the IG molecules
saliva and vagina.
large size and forms a 5Y chains.
allowing it to easily migrate into the tissues of the body.
 The effector side of the IgE is ideally matched to mast
IgE use single Y chain and is the least abundant IgD also uses single Y chain. It is the least
cells and basophils and once the receptor side of the IgE
antibody in plasma and elevated number of IgE is
comes into contact with one of these antigens the mast understood of all antibodies. It exists in
found in patients with allergies.IgE’s respond to cell and basa fill will release histamine molecules causing
small amount in the blood.
parasitic worms as well as allergens such as pollen. the inflammatory symptoms we know as an allergic

reaction

B-cells can produce millions of these, which then cycle Without it, those threats would escalate into
IgD’s are the least well-known antibody
through the body and attack the invaders until the threat
however they are known to play a role in something far more dangerous. So the next time
is neutralized. While all of this is going on, symptoms like
you catch a cold or scratch a mosquito bite, think
the activation of basa fills and mast cells high temperatures and swelling, are actually processes
of the immune system.
to attack invading microbes designed to aid the immune response.
Immune
Role an
d
System Imp
orta
nce

ALLIAH SOPHIA P. FLORES

12-STEM A