Lymphatic and Immune systems Flashcards
Four main functions of the lymphatic system
- lymphatic capillaries absorb excess interstitial fluid and return it to the bloodstream
- Lymphatic capillaries called lacteals in the small intestine absorb dietary fats and transport them to the bloodstream
- Production, maintenance and distribution of lymphocytes in the body
- Helps in defense against pathogens
Lymph is a milky fluid containing
- White blood cells
- Proteins
- Fats
- Occasionally bacteria and viruses
Lymph nodes remove____
microorganisms, debris and abnormal cells from lymph and cleanse the lymph
Nodes are composed of
connective tissue, macrophages and lymphocytes
what transport lymphs
lymphatic vessels
Nodes acts as
filters, cleansing the lymph as it passes through them
where is the spleen located
located in upper left abdominal cavity
two regions of spleen
red pulp
white pulp
red pulp
removes old and damaged red blood cells
temporary blood storage
White pulp
contains lymphocytes, searching pathogens
Disease that cause spleen enlargement
Infectious mononucleosis, leukemia
Thymus
Located behind the sternum, above heart
Site of maturation of T cells (T lymphocytes)
Largest and most active during childhood
Lymphatic organs
- tonsils
- adenoids
- peyer patches
Tonsils
Filter food and air entering the throat
Adenoids
Located at the back of the nasal passages and filters air entering the respiratory tract
Peyer patches
Found in the intestinal walls and the appendix
Fight infections that come in via the digestive tract
Immunity
killing or removing foreign substances, pathogens and cancer cells from our body
Two branches of our immune system:
innate and adaptive
innate
Fully functional without previous exposure to a pathogen
Adaptive
is initiated when exposed to a pathogen
Innate (nonspecific defenses) immune defenses include
- physical and chemical barriers
- the inflammatory response
- protective proteins
innate defenses have no ____________.
recognition of a pathogen , and no memory.
The first line of defense
Skin- an effective deterrent
tears and saliva- contain lysozyme
Ear wax - entraps microorganisms
Mucus- entraps microorganisms
Stomach- highly acidic, inhibits microorganisms
Second line of defense
-Phagocytic cells : white blood cells that surround and engulf invading bacteria
neutrophils, macrophages, eosinophils
- inflammation : redness, warmth , swelling
- natural killer cells : a type of lymphocyte that attacks tumor cells and virus-infected cells
- fever response
Third line to defence
the immune response
characteristics of the immune response
- Recognizes and targets specific pathogens and foreign substances
- Has “memory”- remembers initial exposure and responds more quickly and aggressively on subsequent exposure
- Able to distinguish between “self” body cells and foreign “non-self” invaders or healthy cells and abnormal cells