Lesson 2.6 The Lymphatic System and The Immune System Flashcards
Name the parts of the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system is made up of lymph fluid, lymphatic vessels, red bone marrow (the production site of lymphocytes), and other structures and organs that contain lymphatic tissue, such as lymph nodes, the spleen, and thymus.
What are the three roles of the lymphatic system in the body?
The lymphatic system plays three particularly important roles in the body. First, it carries out the immune response, combatting harmful agents. Second, it drains excess fluid from the tissues and returns it to the blood. Third, it carries digested fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the intestines to the blood.
What are lymphocytes?
White blood cells.
What does the immune system do?
Lymphocytes or white blood cells immobilize germs using chemicals as weapons. The immune system memorizes the invader that causes the disease. Once the immune system has recognized a germ and built a matching weapon, the body is able to fight off the intruder more quickly and easily next time the germ is encountered.
What factors weaken the immune system?
The immune system can be weakened by surgery, lengthy illness, extreme physical or emotional stress, poor dietary habits, lack of sleep, and exposure to toxic chemicals.
What happens when the immune system is weakened?
When the immune system is weak, the body becomes more susceptible to various germs, allowing even simple illnesses to recur more easily and to last longer.
What are the reasons for specialized cells in the immune system?
The immune system involves an exceedingly complex group of specialized cells that defend the body from infectious, disease-causing organisms.
Does the immune system recognize it’s own tissues?
The immune system must also learn to recognize its own tissue and differentiate it from foreign cells.
What happens if the immune system does not recognize itself?
When recognition does not occur, a foundation is built for autoimmune diseases in which the body attacks itself, as in arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus.
Name the clear fluid in tissue spaces.
It is named interstitial fluid.
What task does interstitial fluid perform?
The interstitial fluid, collects accumulated waste and carries it into the lymphatic vessels where it becomes lymph.
What system is the lymphatic system similar to?
Lymphatic vessels are similar to the veins of the cardiovascular system.
Describe the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic vessels travel in one direction only, from the tissues to the bloodstream. In a continual process, fluid collects in the tissues from the arterial system.
What cleans the lymphatic fluids?
Lymph nodes.
After cleaning, where does the lymph travel to?
The lymph re-enters the bloodstream.
