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Immune System

Immunity & Human Immune System | Biology for Grade 12

System of body which protects the body from disease is called immune system. 

Some Terms Related to Immunity

(1) Immunity : Resistance of the body against a pathogen or disease.

(2) Antigen or Agglutinogen : Proteinous substance which stimulates the production of antibodies.

(3) Antibody or Agglutinin : It is a complex glycoprotein secreted by B-lymphocytes in response to an antigen.

(4) Antiserum : Serum of any animal which contains the antibody for a specific antigen is called antiserum.

(5) Venom (poison) : Toxic substances secrete by snake and some insect.

(6) Agglutination : Antigen antibody reaction is called agglutination and study of antigen-antibody reaction is called serology.

(7) Toxoid : A bacterial exotoxin which is detoxicated by special procedures to allow its safe use in immunization against the disease.

(8) Interleukin : It is a protein substances which stimulate the growth and activate certain kind of W.B.C. that are involved in Immune response, also act as a secondary messenger that activates the immune system. Ex. IL-1, IL2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5

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Types of Immunity

(1) Congenital Immunity or Innate Immunity or Non-Specific Immunity

(2) Acquired Immunity or Adaptive or Specific Immunity

 

Immunity & Human Immune System | Biology for Grade 12

Immunity & Human Immune System | Biology for Grade 12

 

Congenital Immunity

It is present in most of the animals by birth. It is first line of defence of body. It is made up of following barriers.

(A) Anatomical Barrier

It is made up of two parts :-

(i) Skin : Outermost layer of skin is dead (str. corneum), so the bacteria does not grow or enter into it. pH of skin destroy the bacteria, sebum of skin also has anti bacterial action.

(ii) Mucosal surface : Food and air passage lined by mucosa. Mucosa contain mucosal cells and cilia.

Mucosa entraps the micro-organism and cilia propell the microbes.

(B) Physiological Barriers

Many physiological functions of body make an unfavourable environment for the growth of microbes.

(i) Fever : High temp. of body, inhibit the growth of microbes.

(ii) pH of body : Acidic pH of various part of body like oral cavity, stomach and Vagina inhibit the growth of microbes.

(iii) Secretions : Secretions of body from Eyes, sebum contain lysozyme enzyme, this enzyme destroys the microbes.

(iv) Interferon : Anti-viral protein made up to 270 amino acids secreted by virus infected cells and sitmulates the adjacent cells to produce the Translation Inhibiting Protein (T.I.P.) By this mechanism interferon limits the infection of virus.

Certain kind of vertebrate cells when infected with a virus respond by releasing a small amount of a class of glycoprotein called interferons. INFs form cytokine barrier of innate immunity.

Interferons are species specific i.e. interferons produced by one species can protect only cells of same species against viral infection.

Interferons make cells resistant to viral infection by synthesis of antiviral proteins in that cell.

Types of Interferons

INFs - α = produced by Leucocytes.

INFs - β = produced by Fibroblasts.

INFs - γ = produced by Lymphocytes..

Interferons can be used for prophylaxis and treatment of viral infections.

INFs - α = activate immune system and destroy tumor. Also has shown some success in causing of regression of Kaposi sarcoma. 

(C) Phagocytic Barrier

In response to pathogenic infection, the total count of WBC in body increases. Phagocytosis is exhibited by some types of WBC's. Such WBC's are called phagocytes.

Most important phagocytes are Macrophages and Neutrophils. Monocytes are liberated at the site of infection. These later converted into macrophages.

Macrophages are large irregular shaped cells that engulf microbes, virus, cellular debris etc in response to an infection.

Steps of Phagocytosis 

Immunity & Human Immune System | Biology for Grade 12

(i) Vasodilation : At site of entry - Increased diameter of blood vessels.

(ii) Adhesion : Accumulation of leucocytes at periphery of blood vessels due to decreased blood flow.

(iii) Diapedesis : Now the leucocytes (neutrophils or Monocytes) migrates from the blood vessel by Active movements (Amoeboid movement) into the E.C.F. This kind of active movement of cell, is called diapedesis.

(iv) Chemotaxis : Now this leucocyte cells move towards the pathogen by chemotactic movement (Active).

(v) Phagocytosis : 

(a) Attachment (adherence) : The infective agent gets attracted to the membrane of the phagocyte.

(b) Ingestion : Phagocyte engulfs the particular material into a vacuole (phagosome). The membrane of which fuses with a lysosome forming a phagolysosome. Lysosome contains hydrolytic enzymes and other bactericidal substances.

(c) Intracellular killing of bacterium : Most bacteria are slaughtered in the phagolysosome by the hydrolytic enzymes within a few minutes of phagocytosis.

(D) Inflammatory Barrier

Inflammation : Local response of living mammalian tissue to injury due to any agent. It is the body defence reaction in order to eliminate or limit the spread of infectious agent.

Inflammation is manifested as pain, swelling, redness, and increased temperature in the local area.

Immunity & Human Immune System | Biology for Grade 12

Inflammatory response occurs due to :- Release of histamines and prostaglandins from damaged mast cells. At the site of entry of pathogen, there is redness (due to vasodilation) and swelling of skin due to accumulation of fluids and High temp. (due to­ B.M.R.) and pain(due to secretion of allergic susbtances like histamine and prostaglandin (PGs) from the damaged cells and PGs stimulate the pain receptors.

NK-Cell :It is a large granular lymphocyte cell.

During this process apart from the phagocytes, another type of cells called Natural killer cells kill virus infected cells and tumour cells of body by creating perforin lined pores in the plasma membrane of target cells (i.e. infected cells). Water enters through these pores causing swelling and bursting of the diseased cells.

Complementary System

It is formed by complementary component or C-component and they are inactive but when agglutination occurs in our body they become active and show inflammation, cell lysis and promote phagocytosis. Complement system takes part in both innate and acquired immunity.

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Acquired Immunity 

It is the resistance that an individual acquires during life. This is generated in response to an exposure to the micro-organism in question.

  • This type of immunity is founds only in vertebrates.

  • It is also called Adaptive or specific immunity

This immunity is acquired after birth through experience.

This immunity recognizes and selectively eliminates the pathogen.

Immunity & Human Immune System | Biology for Grade 12

Features of Acquired immunity 

(i) Specificity : Acquried immunity is specific for specific micro-organisms.

(ii) Diversity : This system recognizes the vast variety of micro-organisms.

(iii) Discrimination between self and non-self. It can recognize self (body or tissue) and non self (foreign tissue) and respond according to them.

(iv) Memory : When a pathogen enters inside the body, body takes longer time to recognize and respond to it. This is called primary immune response but the memory of this encounter remains in immune system.

When this pathogen enters second time inside the body, body's immune system rapidly recognizes this pathogen and respond quickly to it. This is called secondary immune response. This is based on memory of immune system.

 

Immunity & Human Immune System | Biology for Grade 12

Types of Acquired Immunity

Immunity & Human Immune System | Biology for Grade 12

(i) Active Acquired Immunity

Resistance developed by an individual as a result an antigenic stimulus.

(a) Natural :- Results from a clinical or inapparents infection by a microorganism.

(b) Artificial :- Resistances induced by vaccine

Vaccines :-Preparation of live or killed microorganism or their products used for immunization.

(ii) Passive Acquired Immunity

It is received passively by host without participation or contribution from host's immune system. Immunological memory is absent here and the readymade antibodies are given in immuno suppressive individual. This is called passive immunity.

Immunity & Human Immune System | Biology for Grade 12

(a) Natural :- Resistance passively transferred from mother to baby. Mother milk gives passive immunity to the new born child by colostrum (first mother milk) →Ig A type of antibody.

(b) Artificial :- Resistance passively transferred to a recipient by administration of antibodies.

Examples : human immunological administration.

Anti - tetanus serum (ATS), Anti - rabies serum (ARS), Anti - diptheria serum (ADS)


Difference between Active and Passive Immunity


 

Active immunity

Passive immunity

1.

Produced actively by the immune system of host

Received passively by the host and the host' s immune system does not participate.

2.

Induced by infection or by contacts with immunogen, e.g. vaccines.

Conferred by introduction of ready-made antibodies.

3.

Immune response-durable and effective

Immune response-short lived and less effective.

4.

Immunity develops only after a lag period

Immunity effective immediately.

5.

Immunological memory present. Subsequent challenge with booster dose more effective.

No immunological memory. Subsequent administration of antibody less effective due to "immune elimination:

6.

Serves no purpose in immuno deficient host.

Applicable in immunodeficient host

7.

Used for prophylaxis to increase body resistance.

Used for treatment of acute infection.

 

Active Immunity 

This immunity develops after infection or vaccination.

Active immunity is formed by lymphocytes, lymphocytes are produce in bone marrow (Haematopoisis).

After production some of lymphocytes migrates from bone marrow to thymus cells and mature as T-cells (Thymus cell).

Lymphocyte which remain in bone marrow mature as B - cells (Bone marrow cells) so, bone marrow and thymus gland are primary lymphoid organ.

After maturation some lymphocytes migrate from bone marrow & thymus gland to the spleen & lymph nodes like tonsils, and proliferate (­  Immunity & Human Immune System | Biology for Grade 12 in no.) Here, so spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils and peyer's patches [mucosal associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)] are called secondary lymphoid organs.

Immunity & Human Immune System | Biology for Grade 12

Based on these two type of lymphocytes there are two types of active immune system.

(1) C.M.I.S. 

Cell mediated immune system or Cellular immunity This immune system is based on T-cells. (60-70%) There are 4 type of T-cell

(i) Helper T-cell

(ii) Killer T-cell or cytotoxic T-cell

(iii) Supressive T-cell

(iv) Memory T-cell When pathogens enter inside the body first macrophage interact with them and activates TH-cell by releasing cytokines or ILs or monokines.

(i) Helper T-cell 

This activated helper cell stimulates the killer T-cell and B-cell and these killer & B-cell start dividing and produce clone (group of similar cells) this phenomenon is called clonal selection.

They produce lymphokines (messenger molecules) which cause accumulating of WBCs to the affected site.

TH-cells also stimulate B–cells to produce antibodies and facilitate the action of other T–cells.

(ii) Killer T-cell 

These cell or clone of these cell destroy the infected cells or target cell and kill the pathogen and also the cancerous cells by secreting Lymphotoxic substances and secrete lymphokines which attracts phagocytes.

These are responsible for cell–mediated immunity. They also destroy transplanted, tumour cells and other foreign cells.

(iii) Suppressor Cells (TS

These suppress the functions of TC and TH cells. B–cells and plasma cells are also affected by TS cells by synthesizing suppressor factors and suppress the entire immune system for attacking the own body

(iv) Memory T-cell

They don't kill the pathogen or don't form the antibodies but these cell retain the memory of every encounter.

They convert into effector cells (TC) on later encounter with specific antigen even after several years.

(v) Antigen Presenting Cells

In immune mechanism every antigen molecule is processed  by antigen presenting cells like macrophages, B-lymphocytes etc. This processed antigen is presented on the surface of these cells.

When a T- helper lymphocyte passes closely by the side of the antigen presenting a cell bearing the antigen on its surface, it recognizes the antigen and becomes activated. Now T-helper cells activate the B-cells and T-killer cells.

These cells in turn develop clones by frequent divisions in themselves.

(2) A.M.I.S. (Antibody Mediated Immune System or Humoral I

mmunity)

 

Immunity & Human Immune System | Biology for Grade 12

This  immune system is based on B-lymphocyte (10-20%) and these B-lymphocyte secret the antibody.

Antibody or Immunoglobulin

These are complex glycoprotein molecule made up of 4 polypeptide chains - two light and two heavy chains.

These two chains are held together by disulphide bond in shape of Y molecule.

Two top tips of this molecule bind with antigen [large and complex foreign molecules mainly proteins that activate the specific immunity] like lock and key fashion and make antigen-antibody complex.

Function of Antibodies 

(i) Agglutination : Antibody attach with the antigen which is present on the surface of pathogen and destroy the pathogen by cell lysis.

(ii) Opsonisation : Coating of bacteria (Ag) with opsonin Antibody (IgG and IgM) facilitates the phagocyte cells and these antibodies or opsonin promote phagocytosis by combination with antigen.

(iii) Neutralization : Antibodies neutralize the toxin of bacteria by attaching with them.

Types of Antibodies

Various Types of Immunoglobulins in Human

S.No.

Group of Antibodies

Total Quantity (%)

Main Characters and occurrence

Functions

1.

IgA

10

The primary antibodies present in colostrum, M.W. 1,70,000 : present in saliva, mucus and other secretions.

Protection of mucous membranes and outer surface of body and protection from inhaled ingested pathogens.

2.

IgD

1-3

Present in trace amount on the surface of lymphocytes in blood, M.W 1,85,000

Activation of B-lymphhocytes and development and matu­ration of immune reactions.

3.

IgE

0.05

Present in very small quantities, show specific linkage with mast cells and basophils, M.W. 1,88,000

Stimulation of mast cells, related to allergic reactions and protection from parasites.

4.

IgG

75-80

Most abundantly found antibodies main immunoglobulin of blood and interstitial fluid which has capacity to pass through placenta, M.W. 1,46,000 (lightest)

To stimulate the complementary system, to provide immune power to human embryo and specific linkage with phagocytic cells for phagocytosis.

5.

IgM

5-10

Oldest and first antibody generated in response to antigens, present in blood plasma (80% ) and interstitial fluids and large sized immunoglobulin with pentameric form, M.W. 9,60,000 (heaviest)

First appeared antibody generated at the time of defence, strong agglutination, related to complement system.

 

Mostly intra-vascular

IgG – Protects body fluids.
IgA – Protects body surfaces.
IgM– Protects body blood stream.
IgE – Mediates regional hypersensitivity.
IgD – Activation of B-lymphocyte

  1. First line of Defence : Skin, Mucous membrane
  2. Second line of Defence : Neutrophils, Monocytes, Macrophage, interferon, fever.
  3. Third line of Defence : Specific immunity by T- and B-lymphocytes
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FAQs on Immunity & Human Immune System - Biology for Grade 12

1. What is the immune system and why is it important?
Ans. The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against harmful pathogens and foreign substances. It plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and preventing infections and diseases.
2. What are the two types of immunity?
Ans. The two types of immunity are innate immunity and acquired immunity. Innate immunity is the body's natural defense mechanism that is present at birth and provides immediate protection against pathogens. Acquired immunity, on the other hand, is developed over time through exposure to pathogens or through vaccination.
3. How does acquired immunity work?
Ans. Acquired immunity is based on the body's ability to recognize and remember specific pathogens. When the immune system encounters a pathogen for the first time, it produces specific antibodies and immune cells to fight it off. If the same pathogen enters the body again, the immune system quickly recognizes it and mounts a faster and more effective response, preventing reinfection.
4. What is the difference between active and passive immunity?
Ans. Active immunity is when the body's immune system actively produces its own antibodies in response to an infection or vaccination. This type of immunity provides long-term protection as the immune system retains memory of the pathogen. Passive immunity, on the other hand, is temporary and is acquired when pre-formed antibodies are transferred from one individual to another. This can occur naturally through the placenta during pregnancy or artificially through the administration of antibodies (such as in certain medical treatments).
5. How can we strengthen our immune system?
Ans. There are several ways to strengthen the immune system. These include maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, staying hydrated, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and practicing good hygiene (such as regular handwashing) are also important for boosting the immune system. Additionally, getting vaccinated and avoiding close contact with sick individuals can further protect against infections.
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