1. Immune Response

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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?