White Blood Cells and Immunity

Question 1

What type of cell does the immune system use to deal with pathogens?

Answer 1

White blood cells

Question 2

What are pathogens?

Answer 2

Microorganisms which cause disease e.g. pneumonia

Question 3

Phagocytes

Answer 3

1) Phagocytes detect foreign substances e.g. pathogens
2) They then engulf and digest them
3) Phagocytes are non-specific, they will attack anything not meant to be there

Question 4

Lymphocytes produce antibodies

Answer 4

1) Every pathogen has a unique molecule called an antigen on its surface
2) When lymphocytes come across a antigen, they produce antibodies
3) Antibodies lock on to invading pathogens and mark them to be destroyed by other white blood cells

Question 5

How quickly are antibodies produced?

Answer 5

Rapidly