Immune Response

Non – Specific Immune Response A pathogen gets inside and your body responds by trying to kill/inhibit the pathogen Three basic responses: 1. Fever – high temps destroy pathogens

2. Inflammation (swelling) Skin/cells are damaged, pathogens enter Cells recognize invaders and release chemicals called histamines These cause increased blood flow (which causes swelling) to get more white blood cells WBCs attack pathogens Lymph nodes may also swell with fluid when they fight infection

3. Protein Activation Pathogens activate certain proteins Some attack bacterial cell membranes Some (Interferons) prevent viruses from working

Specific Immune Response Pathogens have specific proteins that act as name tags – it lets the the body know they’re foreign A substance on the pathogen called an antigen causes the body to respond The response is to release WBC’s & produce antibodies

Antibodies destroy pathogens by attaching to their antigens and then breaking open their cell membranes A cell called a phagocyte may also engulf (eat) the pathogen

Immunity The ability of the body to resist certain diseases for the long term – 2 types Active Immunity – body makes its own antibodies - occurs if you had the disease or got vaccinated Passive Immunity – temporary immunity by receiving antibodies Ex: Mother to child through breast milk

Vaccine A weakened or dead form of a pathogen so it is no longer harmful, but it still has the antigens present. Antigens trigger an immune response so your body produces antibodies

Can you… List and explain the three non-specific immune responses? Explain what an antigen is? Explain the relationship between an antigen and an antibody? Explain how and why a vaccine works?