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Unit 5-p3 the immune system
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- OCR
Unit 5-p3 the immune system
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The immune systemOur immune system is essential for our survival. Without an immune system, our bodies would be
open to attack from bacteria, viruses, parasites and more. Our immune system is spread throughout
the whole body and is made up of special organs, cells and chemicals that fight infection. The main
parts of the immune system are white blood cells, antibodies, the complement system, the
lymphatic system, the spleen, the thymus and the bone marrow. The main job of the immune
system is to fight harmful substances and germs that enter the body, for instance, through the skin
or digestive system. The immune system makes antibodies and uses them to specifically fight certain
germs that the body has previously come into contact with. It uses a number of ways to detect and
destroy anything it recognises as foreign to your body, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites or
unhealthy cells such as cancerous cells.
The main function in summary
The main job of the immune system is to protect the body against disease or damaging foreign
bodies when functioning properly the immune system identifies a variety of threats including
viruses, bacteria and parasites and distinguishes them from the body’s healthy tissue.
The main components of the immune system
The immune system consists of tonsils, lymph nodes, the appendix, bone marrow, lymphatic vessels,
the spleen, and the thymus.
Tonsils and adenoids
The tonsils are known as a pair of very soft tissue masses located at the top of the pharynx. Each
tonsil is made up of tissues which are similar to lymph nodes, covered by mucosa. In the immune
system, the tonsils have important functions. Because of where they are located the tonsils can stop
germs entering the body through the mouth or nose. Furthermore, the tonsils contain many white
blood cells, responsible for killing germs.
Your adenoids are glands situated in the roof of the mouth, behind the nose. Their role in the in the
immune system is to produce antibodies, that help fight infections. Both your tonsils and adenoids,
help to trap and eliminate bacteria and viruses that enter your mouth or nose.
Lymph nodes
Lymph nodes may be commonly associated with the lymphatic system; however, they are also a
component of the immune system. Lymph nodes are tiny structures that work as filters for harmful
substances. They are your immune systems line of defence, protecting you from things like viruses or
bacteria’s which could make you sick.
Lymph nodes defend you form viruses and bacteria, as they contain immune cells which help fight
infection by attacking and destroying germs that are carried in through the lymph fluid. Our bodies
are in fact made up of hundreds of lymph nodes all working together.
Appendix
The appendix is a sack located in the first part of the colon. Although it is unaware of the appendix’s
function in the digestive system, findings suggest the appendix plays a big role in the immune
system. It is suggested that the appendix may play an important role as a secondary immune organ.
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