the immune system Flashcards
how can pathogens invade the body through the skin?
when the skin is damaged, pathogens can invade the body and enter the bloodstream
once inside the body, what can pathogens do
they multiply and damage healthy tissue
eg bacteria can release chemicals called toxins which make us feel unwell
what does the body have to protect us against feeling unwell from toxins.
the immune system
what are the 2 main functions of the immune system
to destroy pathogens and any toxins they produce
to protect us incase the same type of pathogen invades is again in the future
what are the 3 functions of white blood cells
they can ingest and destroy pathogens
they detect chemicals releases from the pathogen and moves towards it
making antibodies
what does the word ingest mean?
to take in
IN THE EXAM MAKE SURE U SAY INGEST AND NOT EAT
when the white blood cells detect chemicals releases from the pathogens and move towards it,
what do they do to the pathogens
what is this process called?
the white blood cell then uses enzymes to destroy the pathogens
phagocytosis
what is phagocytosis
the process in which the white blood cell ingests the pathogen
what are antibodies
they are protein molecules produced by white blood cells
what do the white blood cells produce
they produce antibodies
what do antibodies do with the pathogens
the antibodies stick to the pathogens
this triggers the pathogens to be destroyed
explain the interaction between antibodies and antigens
antibodies are specific, each antibody bonds to a specific antigen
an interaction similar to a lock and key.
antibodies bonded to a specific antigen means what?
they will only protect against the specific virus. It will not protect against any other pathogen
name a feature of antibodies that can protect us incase we ever get infected again with the same pathogen
antibodies can remain in the blood for a long time
what else can white blood cells produce besides antibodies as another way of protecting us against pathogens
antitoxins
