The Complement System
This is a network of proteins which quickly and immediately respond to invaders. They are able to do so because they are always in our blood. These cells can attract phagocytes and kill the antigen.
Phagocytes
Granulocytes: This is the first attacker. These cells attack in large groups and eat the invader until it dies. An example of dead granulocytes would be puss.
Macrophages: They are slower in their response but live longer, are more effective, and are larger. They prepare the rest of the immune system.
Dendritic Cells: These cells can filter and get rid of invaders. They can also activate the rest of the immune system. Like the other cells, they eat invaders.
Macrophages: They are slower in their response but live longer, are more effective, and are larger. They prepare the rest of the immune system.
Dendritic Cells: These cells can filter and get rid of invaders. They can also activate the rest of the immune system. Like the other cells, they eat invaders.
Lymphocytes
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Lymphocytes originate in bone marrow and travel through the lymphatic system. They can detect foreign substances with receptors on their surface. Each cell can only detect one foreign substance but the body compensates for this by creating so many lymphocytes.
T Cells
Named after the thymus gland, where these cells mature, the T cells serve two different functions to the immune system.
Helper Cells:
Macrophages and dendritic cells activate the helper cells. After eating the invader, they send the information to helper cells and the T cell uses its receptors to find the pathogen and activate. Helper cells then produce proteins that activate other the killer T cells, B cells, and other immune cells.
Killer cells:
The cells use their receptors to find the antigen and swiftly kill it.
Helper Cells:
Macrophages and dendritic cells activate the helper cells. After eating the invader, they send the information to helper cells and the T cell uses its receptors to find the pathogen and activate. Helper cells then produce proteins that activate other the killer T cells, B cells, and other immune cells.
Killer cells:
The cells use their receptors to find the antigen and swiftly kill it.
B Cells
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B Cells: B cells search for antigens that match its receptors. After it finds the antigen, it needs activation from the helper T cell in order to clone itself and form the other B cells.
Plasma Cell: This cell is created by the B. It creates antibodies which will fight antigens (the same one that coordinates with the B cell receptor). They are created at astonishing speeds.
*Antibody: This y-shaped cell gathers all the antigens that correspond with its B cell receptor by attaching to the antigen. It also contains the antigen from further infecting. This cell makes it easier for phagocytes to eat the cell by connecting multiple antigens.
Memory Cell: The final B cell is the memory cell which has a very long life. It remembers antigens for a quicker immune response.
*memory cells can also be produced by T cells
Plasma Cell: This cell is created by the B. It creates antibodies which will fight antigens (the same one that coordinates with the B cell receptor). They are created at astonishing speeds.
*Antibody: This y-shaped cell gathers all the antigens that correspond with its B cell receptor by attaching to the antigen. It also contains the antigen from further infecting. This cell makes it easier for phagocytes to eat the cell by connecting multiple antigens.
Memory Cell: The final B cell is the memory cell which has a very long life. It remembers antigens for a quicker immune response.
*memory cells can also be produced by T cells