THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

I. VOCABULARY- WORD FORMATION

The immune system is composed of (special)………………….. cells, various proteins, tissue and organs. The
immune system works to defend us against hordes of microorganisms and germs that we are exposed to every
day. In the (major)…………………… of cases, the immune system performs and excellent job of (prevent)
…………………….. diseases and (infect)…………………. thus keeping us healthy. However, in some cases,
problems can occur in the immune system, which can lead to the (occur)…………………….. of numerous (ill)
…………………………and diseases. The immune system attacks these diseases, through a sequence of steps
(refer)………………………… to as the immune response.

The immune system is composed of a number of cells, tissues and organs that work in (associate)………………
and attack the disease, thus protecting the human body. The cells of the immune system are the leukocytes or the
white blood cells. They are of two main types and work in (combine)……………………… to destroy (organ)
………………………….and substances that invade the body. Leukocytes are manufactured and stored in multiple
organs of the body such as the spleen, bone marrow and the thymus gland. Hence, these organs are referred to
as the lymphoid organs. Clumps of lymphoid tissues are also present throughout the body in the form of lymph
nodes that contain the leukocytes. The (circulate)………………. of the leukocytes in the body takes place between
the lymph nodes and the various organs through the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. Hence, the (function)
………………………… of the immune system occurs in a coordinated manner, thereby, monitoring the body
against diseases.

How Does the Immune System Work?

When foreign particles or antigens invade the body, the various types of immune system cells work in combination
to recognize and destroy them. The B lymphocytes are triggered in the process producing (body)
……………………, which are (special)…………….. proteins that block specific antigens. Once these antibodies
are produced, they remain in the body and if the same antigen invades the body again, they are already present
to block the antigen. Hence, if a person gets a specific disease, that person will not get sick with that disease
again. This is the principle used behind (immune)………………………….

After an antigen is locked by an antibody, the T cells come into action and destroy the antigens tagged by a
particular antibody. T cells are therefore, sometimes referred to as (kill)………………………. cells. Antibodies can
also help in neutralizing (toxic)………………………….. secreted by the microorganisms. They also help in
activating a specialized group of proteins that have a role in destroying viruses, bacteria and other (infection)
……………………. cells. The body is thus protected against diseases by these specialized cells of the immune
system and this protection is referred to as immunity.

II. READING- Music can boost your immune system

Scientists found that after listening to just 50 minutes of uplifting dance music, the levels of antibodies in
volunteers' bodies increased. They also found that stress hormone levels, which can weaken the immune system,
decreased after being exposed to the music. Volunteers who played a percussion instrument along with the music
also benefited from the immune boost. The researchers, from Sussex University and the Max Planck Institute in
Leipzig, Germany, say their findings demonstrate how music could be used to help aid patients' recovery while in
hospital. In a separate, unpublished, study they also found that playing music while a patient was under
anaesthetic during an operation also helped to lower the levels of harmful stress hormones.

Dr Ronny Enk, a neurocognition expert at the Max Planck Institute, who led the research, said: "We think the
pleasant state that can be induced by music leads to special physiological changes which eventually lead to
stress reduction or direct immune enhancement. "Stress reduction probably plays an important role, but the stress
reducing effect seems to be different for various types of music."

The researchers tested 300 people, asking them to listen to 50 minutes of happy, joyful dance music or to a
random collection of tones. They found that levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, decreased significantly in those
listening to the dance music compared to the control group. After listening, the levels of the antibody
immunoglobin A, the immune system's first line of defense, were heightened. The researchers did not test
whether different types of music would have different affects, but other studies have shown that personal
preference for music can also influence the stress reducing the impact it can have.

Dr Enk added: "We'd expect that different kinds of music might show different physiological and immunological
effects. Not only the music itself is important but probably the personal appraisal of the listener will also be
important. We did not use relaxing music, but rather exciting music, that was joyful dance tunes from different
centuries. "Listening to music in hospitals might show benefits for patients and may for example lead to shorter
recovery times, but we are still to test this ourselves."

A. Comprehension check:

1. According to the article there …………a direct link between stress and immune system response.
a. Is b. isn’t
2. There is no tested link between stress relief and the following:
a. Relaxing music b. lively music c. dance music d. dispreferred music
3. Cortisol levels are likely to………………after listening to music.
a. Boost b. lower c. level off
4. This situation has not been studied as to the effect of music on lowering the stress hormone level
a. In patients b. out patients c OR patients
5. Benefits of listening for 50 minutes to lively tunes, are
a. Psychological changes b. better recovery c. lower immunoglobin A levels

B. Ask questions so that the underlined phrases in the text are answers.

C. Complete the following

Verb Noun
To enhance
To boost
Appraisal
Reduce
Prefer
excite

III. SPEAKING

1) Do you have any allergies?

2) What do you think would be the worst thing to be allergic to?
3) What things are people allergic to in your country?
4) Some people are allergic to the twenty-first century. What do you think this means?
5) What would life be like if you suddenly became allergic to your favorite food?
6) What do you think… / What is… life like for hay fever sufferers?
7) What would you do if you suddenly had extreme allergic reactions to your pet / partner / best friend?
8) What are the most common allergens?

IV. READING- FOOD ALLERGY

Re-insert the following sentences in the correct place in the gapped text below:

a. Keep a diary, indicating the presence- or hopefully- the absence of any symptoms.
b. Similarly, the processing of milk and/or soy products can be difficult to digest, leading to food intolerance
symptoms
c. A reaction can occur in 30 minutes or over the span of several days.
d. The most recent recommendation is to withhold giving your child peanuts until they are 3 years old.
e. Problem foods for children can include eggs, milk, peanuts, soy and wheat.