The immune system defends our bodies against harmful invaders such as bacteria, viruses, and pathogens. It recognizes foreign substances known as antigens that may be present in it.
Our immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to keep our bodies safe from harmful invaders like bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. It functions as our body’s defence system, detecting and eliminating threats to our health. In layman’s terms, let’s look at how our immune system fights disease.
Recognising the Opponent
The immune system is constantly on the lookout for foreign substances that enter our bodies, known as antigens. Antigens are components of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. White blood cells, specifically lymphocytes, play an important role in recognizing these antigens as “foreign” and potentially dangerous.
Launching an Attack
When a threat is detected, the immune system goes into action. This entails activating and coordinating various immune cells in order to eliminate the invader. There are two types of immune responses: innate immune responses and adaptive immune responses.
Innate Immune Response: This is an immediate, non-specific defence mechanism that reacts to any invader. Physical barriers (such as the skin), inflammatory responses, and immune cells that engulf and destroy pathogens are all part of it.
Adaptive Immune Response: A defence mechanism that evolves over time to target specific invaders. It entails the creation of specialized immune cells, such as B cells and T cells, that are designed to recognise and eliminate specific antigens. This response forms immunological memory, allowing the immune system to respond more effectively the next time the same antigen is encountered.
Antibodies and Immunity Mediated by Cells
B cells produce antibodies during the adaptive immune response, which bind to antigens and mark them for destruction. Antibodies can either directly neutralize pathogens or tag them for destruction by other immune cells. T cells also play an important role in cell-mediated immunity, where they directly attack and destroy infected cells.
Memory and Long-Term Security
One of the immune system’s remarkable characteristics is its ability to recall previous encounters with specific pathogens. Some immune cells remain in the body after an infection has been cleared, providing long-term protection against future infections by the same pathogen. This is the foundation of immunity and vaccination, in which the immune system is primed to respond quickly and effectively to prevent or lessen the impact of reinfection.
Allergies and Autoimmunity
While the immune system is necessary for our protection, it can occasionally malfunction. In some cases, the immune system incorrectly attacks healthy cells and tissues, resulting in autoimmune disorders. The immune system overreacts to harmless substances in allergies, resulting in an allergic reaction. When you get a cold, for example, your immune system detects the viruses that enter your body.
It initiates an immune response by producing antibodies that bind to viruses and aid in their destruction. Furthermore, immune cells engulf and destroy infected cells, preventing the virus from spreading. After the infection has been cleared, some immune cells remain in your body to provide future protection against the same virus.
To summaries, our immune system is a complex defence system that guards our bodies against harmful invaders. To keep us healthy, it recognizes foreign substances, mounts immune responses, produces antibodies, and eliminates pathogens. Understanding how our immune system fights disease allows us to appreciate the amazing defence mechanism that works tirelessly to protect our health.
