Immune system: what it is, cells and how it works (complete guide)

The immune system, also called the immune system, is a set of organs and cells responsible for fighting invasive microorganisms, preventing the development of diseases. In addition, you are responsible for promoting the balance of the body from the coordinated response of cells and molecules produced in response to the pathogen.

The best way to strengthen the immune system and respond adequately to invasive microorganisms is to eat and adopt healthy habits, and it is also important that vaccination is carried out, especially in children, to stimulate the production of antibodies and prevent children from developing diseases. that can interfere with their development, such as polio, also known as childhood paralysis. It could be avoided by the vaccine. Learn more about the polio vaccine.

  • The immune response is mediated by certain cells responsible for the fight against infections.
  • White blood cells or leukocytes.
  • Promoting the health of the body.
  • White blood cells can be divided into polymorphonuclears and mononuclears.
  • Each group having certain types of defense of the body.
  • Cells that perform different and complementary functions.
  • Cells belonging to the immune system are:.

From the moment a surplus body and infectious agent enter the body, immune system cells are activated and acted in a coordinated manner to combat the aggressor, he knows more about leukocytes.

The immune system is responsible for protecting the body from any type of infection, so that when a microorganism invades the body, the immune system is able to identify this pathogen and avoid defense mechanisms to fight infection.

The immune system consists of the main types of responses: the innate immune response, which is the body’s first line of defense, and the adaptive immune response, which is more specific and activated when the first response does not work enough. .

The natural immune response to the innate is the first line of defense of the body, which is present in the person from birth, once the microorganism invades the body, this line of defense, characterized by its speed and specificity, is stimulated.

This type of immunity consists of

Due to the effectiveness of the innate immune system, infections occur all the time, quickly eliminating microorganisms; However, when natural immunity is not enough to combat the pathogen, adaptive immunity is stimulated.

Acquired or adaptive immunity, although it is the body’s second line of defense, is of great importance because it generates memory cells, preventing the generation of infections generated by the microorganism itself, if they occur, in such serious.

In addition to giving birth to memory cells, the adaptive immune response is late, but it is more specific, but it is possible to identify the specific characteristics of each microorganism and thus lead to the immune response.

This type of immunity is activated by contact with agents and infectious types:

In addition to humoral and cellular immunity, adaptive immune response can also be classified as active, when acquired by vaccination, for example, passive, when provided by another person, such as through lactation, antibodies could be transmitted from mother to child.

For there to be a response to the immune system, antigens and antibodies are needed, which promote the triggering of an immune response, specific to each microorganism, and connect directly to the lymphocyte or antibody to produce an immune response, which normally results in the destruction of the microorganism, and in this way, the end of infection.

Antibodies are Y-shaped proteins responsible for protecting the body from infections, when produced in response to an invasive microorganism. Antibodies are also called immunoglobulins, which can be purchased through lactation, which in the case of IgA, in the case of IgG, can be produced in response to an allergic reaction in the case of IgE.

It protects intestinal, respiratory and urogenital touch from infections and can be obtained through lactation, so the antibody is transmitted from mother to baby.

It is specific to IgM during the acute phase of infections, but its function is clear.

It is specific to allergic reactions

They occur in the acute phase of infection and are responsible for activating the supplemental system, which is a system made up of proteins responsible for facilitating the elimination of the invasive microorganism.

This type of antibody is more prevalent in plasma, is considered the memory antibody and protects the newborn, who manages to cross the placental barrier.

In response to infections, IgM is the first antibody produced. As the infection is established, the body produces IgG which, in addition to fighting the infection, remains in circulation, being considered a memory antibody. He knows more about IgG and IgM antibodies.

Immunization is the organic mechanism for promoting protection against certain microorganisms, which they can acquire naturally, such as vaccines, for example.

Active immunization is acquired through contact vaccination with the agent of a given disease, stimulating the immune system in a way that favors the production of antibodies.

Active immunization is able to generate memory, decide, when the body comes into contact with the agent causing a certain disease, the body recognizes and fights the invading agent, preventing the person developing the disease from manifesting the disease more severely. Therefore, this type of response is long lasting, however, late to establish, even though, after exposure to the harmful agent, an immediate acquisition immune response is formed, the immune system will take time to process and assimilate this information.

Natural exposure to pathogens is a way to get active immunization, and it is also important to artificially obtain active immunization, which is due to vaccination, for future infections to be expected. During vaccination, the microorganism is given to the person with reduced activity. to stimulate the immune system and recognize the pathogen and create immunity against it.

Passive immunization occurs when the person acquires antibodies produced by another person the animal. This type of immunization is usually obtained naturally through immunoglobulins, mainly IgG (antibodies), through the placenta, perhaps through direct mother-to-baby transfer.

Passive immunization can also be acquired artificially by injecting antibodies from other animals or animals, such as snake bites, for example, whose snake venom is extracted and then removed. Administrators in person.

This type of immunization generates a faster immune response, but does not last as long as active immunization.

To improve the immune system, it is important to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet, with foods rich in vitamin C, selenium and zinc. He knows what foods can help strengthen the immune system.

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