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Name: Brianna June T.
Anta Subject: Anatomy and Physiology

Professor: Ma’am Rea Christine A. Bucayon Date: August 19, 2024
The Immune System
The Immune System

The immune system is the complex collection of cells and organs that destroys or neutralizes
pathogens that would otherwise cause disease or death (Betts et al., 2022). It is the body’s
tool for preventing or limiting infection. Its complex network of cells, organs, proteins, and
tissues enables the immune system to defend the body from pathogens (Newman, 2023).
Such invaders include microorganisms (commonly called germs, such as bacteria, viruses,
and fungi), parasites (such as worms), cancer cells, and transplanted organs and tissues
(Delves, 2024). The immune system protects the body from diseases and infections by
fighting pathogens and other invaders.
Main Components
The immune system consists of a range of components including the white blood cells
(leukocytes), spleen, bone marrow, lymphatic system, lymph nodes, thymus, tonsils,
adenoids, and appendix. The white blood cells circulate in the blood and lymphatic vessels.
The spleen is an organ at the upper left of the abdomen where immune cells gather and
work. The bone marrow is a soft tissue in the center of the bones that produces red and
white blood cells. The lymphatic system forms a network similar to the blood vessels. It
carries a substance called lymph instead of blood. Lymph is a fluid that carries immune-
related cells to areas that need them. The body stores white blood cells in different places,
known as lymphoid organs. These include lymph nodes, small bean-shaped glands
throughout the body, especially in the neck, underarms, groin, and abdomen. The thymus, a
gland behind the breastbone, where white blood cells known as lymphocytes mature
(Newman, 2023). The tonsils, adenoids, and appendix, these organs trap microorganisms
and other foreign substances and provide a place for mature cells of the immune system to
collect, interact with each other and with the foreign substances, and generate a specific
immune response (Delves, 2024). The immune system is complex, each component works
together with its specific roles in defending the body against foreign substances.
The Organization of Immune Function

The immune system is a collection of barriers, cells, and soluble proteins that interact and
communicate with each other in extraordinarily complex ways. The modern model of
immune function is organized into three phases based on the timing of their effects. The
three temporal phases consist of the barrier defenses or physical barriers, innate (natural)
immunity, and acquired (adaptive or specific) immunity (Betts et al., 2022). The first line of
defense against invaders is mechanical or physical barriers, like the skin, cornea of the eyes,
and membranes lining the respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts. As long as
these barriers remain unbroken, many invaders cannot enter the body. If a barrier is broken,
the risk of infection is increased. Innate (natural) immunity, innate means something a
person is born with. So innate immunity does not require a previous encounter with a
microorganism or other invader to work effectively. It responds to invaders immediately,
without needing to learn to recognize them. Several types of white blood cells are involved
in this immunity such as phagocytes, natural killer cells, and basophils. In acquired (adaptive
or specific) immunity, white blood cells called lymphocytes (B cells and T cells) encounter an
invader, they learn how to attack it and remember the specific invader so that they can
attack it even more efficiently the next time they encounter it. Acquired immunity takes time
to develop after the initial encounter with a new invader because the lymphocytes must
adapt to it. However, thereafter, the response is quick. B cells and T cells work together to
destroy invaders. To be able to recognize invaders, T cells need help from cells called
antigen-presenting cells (such as dendritic cells). These cells ingest an invader and break it
into fragments (Delves, 2024). The human body has a series of defenses against invaders;
therefore, microorganisms cannot easily infect the human body.
Immune System Disorders

There are many ways in which the immune system can go wrong. These types of immune
disorders fall into three categories: immunodeficiency disorder, autoimmune disorder, and
allergic reaction. Immunodeficiency disorders arise when one or more parts of the immune
system do not function. They can result from a condition that a person is born with,
developments over time, for instance, older age, and a disease that affects the immune
system, such as HIV, malnutrition, obesity, or alcohol abuse (Newman, 2023). The worst
cases of the immune system overreacting are autoimmune disorders. Somehow, tolerance
breaks down and the immune systems of individuals with these diseases begin to attack
their own bodies, causing significant damage. The trigger for these diseases is, more often
than not, unknown (Betts et al., 2022). While an allergic reaction is when the body generates
an excessive immune response to often harmless foreign antigens and damages normal
tissues, this also refers to hypersensitivity (Delves, 2024). The immune system can
malfunction sometimes, and what triggers exactly these reactions in one person is usually
unknown but there are risk factors that a person may develop these disorders such as genes,
age, environmental factors, and lifestyle.
Conclusion
The immune system is the disease defense system of the human body. It is a complex system
vital for survival. With its series of immune responses, it defends the body against dangerous
invaders, keeping the body away from diseases and infections. The immune system may not
always function properly in some individuals and its causes are usually unknown, but there
are risk factors involved. The human body is composed of organ systems, and the immune
system is one of its crucial components.
References
Betts, J. G., Young, K. A., Wise, J. A., Johnson, E., Poe, B., Kruse, D. H., Korol, O., Johnson, J. E.,
Womble, M., & DeSaix, P. (2022). Anatomy and physiology 2e. OpenStax.
https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/1-introduction
Delves, P. J. (2024). Overview of the immune system. Merck & Co, Inc. Retrieved from
https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/immune-disorders/biology-of-the-immune-system/
overview-of-the-immune-system
Newman, T. (2023). How the immune system works. Medical News Today. Retrieved from
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320101#the-immune-system

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Name: Brianna June T.

Anta Subject: Anatomy and Physiology

The Immune System

The Immune System

The Organization of Immune Function

Immune System Disorders

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