1. NOTES – THE IMMUNE SYSTEM – NON SPECIFIC DEFENSES
the body’s primary defense against disease causing organisms
What is it?
NON – SPECIFIC DEFENSES
first line of defense – tries to guard against all PATHOGENS (disease causing organisms)
specific cause does not matter

2. EXAMPLES:
Skin
most important non – specific defense
provides a physical barrier to infection
when broken it gives pathogen chance to enter body
EX: cuts, burn victims **WARNING**

3. present in nose & throat to trap bacteria
Cilia, mucus

4. Stomach acid
kills bacteria in digestive system
contain lysozymes which break down cell walls of bacteria
Saliva, sweat, tears
INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE
body will produce more white blood cells (wbc) called PHAGOCYTES

5. phagocytes job is to attack & destroy bacteria
accumulation of fluid, increased blood supply and vascular permeability
*Swelling

6. body increases its temperature to help stimulate wbc’s
Fever
most pathogens can only live in a narrow temp range – high temps kill them