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HUMAN BODY IMMUNITY SYSTEM

The body's defense system is a system that protects the body from particles

harmful, pathogens, foreign bodies that cause disease, as well as body cells

abnormal. The body's defense system is also known as the immune system

immunity. The functions of the body's defense system are as follows:

1. Protect the body from attacks by foreign objects or germs that enter
to the body

2. Destroy dead or damaged tissue and cells for tissue repair

3. Recognize and destroy abnormal cells

The body's defense system in humans is divided into two, namely the immune system

specific and non-specific defense systems. At the time of the body

the first time it gets an 'attack' from the outside, which works first is

nonspecific defense system. If the 'attack' managed to penetrate

nonspecific defense, then the specific body defense system will

Work.

A. Nonspecific Body Defense System

The body's non-specific defenses work by recognizing and attacking everything

types of antigens that enter the body Nonspecific body defenses are divided

into two, namely external and internal. What's the difference like?

1. External Nonspecific Defense

External nonspecific defenses are the body's most defenses

outside and its job is to protect so that antigens do not enter the body.

For example, skin, mucous membranes or mucous membranes, cilia of the trachea,

hair on the nose and tear glands.

As you know, the skin is the outermost part of the body, so

The skin can act as an antigen barrier. Meanwhile, the membrane

Mucosa is a layer that lines the inside of the body's organs, such as

respiratory and digestive tract. Well, this mucous membrane can

produce mucus that will trap the antigen, so that antigen

can't get into the cells of the body.

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Nose hair functions to filter inhaled air from particles

harmful particles and microbes. So that harmful particles as well
Microbes do not enter our bodies. As for the cilia found on
The trachea functions to sweep out trapped harmful particles
in the mucus so that it can be excreted from the body.

If the tear glands are different again, here. Tear glands play a role for
produce tears, which is also a nonspecific defense
externally, because tears function to clean the eyes of all kinds
foreign particles that enter the eye.
2. Internal Nonspecific Defences
Internal nonspecific defense is the body's defense that will work
if an antigen is present that can penetrate external nonspecific defenses.
Internal nonspecific defenses involve white blood cell activity, such as:
a. Neutrophils and macrophages to phagocytize or 'eat' antigens and
dangerous pathogens

b. Eosinophils to destroy multicellular pathogens such as helminths

c. NK cells (Natural Killer) to kill infected cells, as well as mast cells
involved in inflammation (inflammation)
3. Mechanisms of the Non-Specific Body Defense System
Uh, what kind of inflammation is that? Inflammation is a response or
the body's response to antigens that enter the body, which can
characterized by swelling, fever, boils, or itching.
This inflammation is facilitated by cytokine compounds produced by macrophages and

Also histamine which is produced by mast cells.

Cytokines function to call white blood cells such as neutrophils to

inflammatory site. While histamine functions to dilate blood vessels
blood, making it easier for white blood cells to penetrate the capillary walls
blood. Oh yes, the presence of histamine is also the reason why the part that
Swelling is usually itchy.
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Figure 1 Inflammation

Figure 2. Mechanism of Inflammation

Phagocytosis is a defense carried out by phagocytic cells

way of digesting microbes or foreign bodies

Types of phagocytic cells

o Mononuclear phagocytes: monocytes that act as macrophages

o Polymorphonuclear phagocytes

Figure 3. Mechanism of Phagocytosis

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1) Recognition: Microbes or foreign particles are detected by cells

phagocytes

2) Movement (chemotaxis): Phagocytic cells move closer to the particle

3) Attachment (adhesion): The particle will stick with the receptor on

phagocytic cell membrane

4) Swallowing (ingestion): Phagocytic cell membrane will envelop the whole

surface of foreign particles and engulfs them in the cytoplasm of the so-called

phagosome

5) Digestion: Lysosomes contain enzymes (acid hydrolase

and peroxidase) fuse with phagosomes to form phagolyosomes. Enzyme

it digests the entire surface of foreign particles until they disintegrate

6) Formed pus: After the infection is overcome, neutrophils and phagocytic cells

will die along with the pathogen. Phagocytic cells and body cells

damaged will form pus (an indicator of infection has healed).

7) Expenditure (releasing): The remaining product of undigested foreign particles, will

secreted by phagocytic cells

Figure 4. Microbial Protein Mechanism

Well, if it turns out that the antigen that attacks us manages to penetrate the system

non-specific body defense, so it's time for us to call the next hero,

that is the body's specific defense system!

B. Specific Body Defense System

Specific body defense system is the body's defense that works if the antigen

managed to enter into body fluids or cells.

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Specific body defense systems are divided into cellular and specific defenses

humoral specific defences.

1. Mobile Specific Defense

Cellular specific defenses are the body's defenses against antigens

that have infected the body's cells. The main actors involved are T lymphocytes.

T lymphocytes are formed in the bone marrow, but mature in the thymus gland.

There are three types of T lymphocytes, what are they?

Types of T Lymphocytes:
a. Cytotoxic (suppressor) T lymphocytes ÿ destroy infected cells

antigens

b. Helper T lymphocytes ÿ activate cytotoxic T lymphocytes

c. Killer T lymphocytes ÿ remember antigens that have invaded the body

To be able to work, helper T cells need to be activated by APC (antigen

Presenting Cell). APC serves to present antigen fragments on the surface

the cell. When this antigen fragment binds to the helper T cell receptor,

the helper T cells are activated. Activated helper T cells

They can then activate suppressor (cytotoxic) T cells. Cytotoxic T cells then

destroys infected cells. Simultaneously, when T cells

activated helper or suppressor (cytotoxic) T cells, some will

turn into memory T cells that will remember antigens for

accelerates specific cellular defense responses.

Figure 5. T Cell Activity

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2. Humoral Specific Defences

Humoral specific defenses are the body's defenses against antigens

present in body fluids (blood and lymph). Main actor playing

are B lymphocytes.

• B lymphocytes are formed and matured in the spinal cord.

B lymphocytes can be activated directly by antigens to transform into

plasma B cells and memory B cells.

Plasma B cells function to produce antibodies. Antibodies are

proteins that bind to and inactivate antigens. Each antibody

can only bind to specific antigens.

• Memory B cells are responsible for remembering antigens

accelerate antibody production.

The dividing B cells function to form plasma B cells and memory B cells

Figure 6. B Cell Activity

C. Type of body immunity

That was a complete explanation of the body's defense system in humans, OK

specific and non-specific. Now, you already know, about the body

we turned out to be really cool because we had several stages of defense so we could

not easy to get sick.

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1. Active Immunity

Active immunity can be obtained by direct contact

between toxins or pathogens so that the body is able to produce its antibodies

Alone. Wow, it's really great that our bodies can make their own antibodies. Immunity

Active immunity itself is further divided into 2 types, namely natural active immunity and

artificial active immunity.

Natural active immunity occurs if, after a person has been exposed to a disease,

The immune system produces antibodies and special lymphocytes. This immunity can

lifelong, as in the case of smallpox and measles, or temporary

such as gonorrhea and pneumonia. In contrast to active immunity

In nature, artificial active immunity arises due to stimulation from pathogens

that is introduced into the body through a vaccine which then activates

immune system. Vaccine itself is a pathogen that has been weakened or

modified toxin. Therefore, this vaccine is not

disease, yes! An example is the TFT vaccine (tetanus formol

toxoid) to fight tetanus.

Have you done the vaccine?

2. Passive Immunity

Passive immunity occurs when antibodies from one individual are transferred to

other individuals. Just like active immunity, passive immunity is also divided

into natural passive immunity and artificial passive immunity.

Natural passive immunity occurs through breastfeeding to infants and

when the mother's IgG (inunoglobulin G) antibodies cross the placenta. IgG antibodies

It can provide temporary immunity for a few weeks or so

several months after birth. Then, artificial passive immunity is like that

What is it? Artificial passive immunity is passive immunity that occurs through

injection of antibodies in serum. Passive immunity is produced by people or animals

who are immune because they have been exposed to a particular antigen. Examples include

antibodies from horses that are immune to snake bites can be injected into

a human being bitten by a snake.

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D. Various Antibodies / Immunities

There are several types of antibodies and each has its own function.
The following are types of antibodies:

1. Immunoglobulin A (IgA)
IgA antibodies are the most common type of antibody found in
body and is involved in the process of allergic reactions. inside the body,
IgA antibodies are found in the body's mucous lining,
especially those lining the respiratory and digestive tracts. IgA too
found in body fluids, such as saliva, sputum, tears, fluids
vagina, and breast milk. IgA antibody tests are also usually performed by
a doctor to diagnose disorders of the immune system, such as diseases
celiac.

2. Immunoglobulin E (IgE)
IgE antibodies are generally found in small amounts in the blood.
However, the amount of IgE antibodies will increase when the body experiences a reaction

allergic inflammation. Medically, an IgE antibody test is done to

detect allergic diseases and parasitic infections.
3. Immunoglobulin G (IgG)
IgG antibodies are the most common type of antibodies found in
blood and other body fluids. When an antigen enters the body, the cells
white blood will "remember" the antigen and form IgE antibodies
to fight it. Thus, if the antigen re-enters the
in your body or attack your body, the immune system will be easy
recognize it and put up a fight because antibodies have been formed
first.

4. Immunoglobulin M (IgM)
The body will make IgM antibodies when you are first infected with bacteria
or viruses as the body's first form of defense against infection.
IgM levels will increase in a short time during infection, then
slowly degrades and is replaced by IgG antibodies. Therefore, results
IgM examination with a high value, is often considered a sign
an active infection. The doctor will usually do an examination
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IgM antibody along with IgA and IgG antibody tests for monitoring

condition and function of the immune system. This test can also be done for

diagnosing certain diseases, such as infections or autoimmune diseases.

5. Immunoglobulin D (IgD)

Immunoglobulin D (IgD) helps trigger the immune response and the amount

A little. The presence of high IgD in the body indicates a disease

serious problem in the body that must be treated immediately. There are some serious illnesses

characterized by increased levels of IgD concentrations, for example disease

autoimmune, cirrhosis of the liver, chronic hepatitis, and other fatal infections.

Reference:

Irnaningtyas & Istiadi, Y. (2016). Biology for SMA/MA Class XI Curriculum

2013 Revised Edition. Jakarta: Erlangga Publisher.