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May 6
When the body is infected with a pathogen, such as a virus, bacteria, or fungus, it triggers the immune response. The immune system recognizes the invading pathogen as foreign and mounts a defense to eliminate it.
The first line of defense is the innate immune response, which includes physical barriers like the skin and mucous membranes, as well as immune cells like macrophages and neutrophils. These cells work to engulf and destroy the pathogen.
If the innate immune response is not enough to eliminate the infection, the adaptive immune response is activated. This involves the production of specific antibodies and the activation of T cells, which work together to target and destroy the pathogen.
During this process, the body may also experience symptoms of infection, such as fever, inflammation, and fatigue. These symptoms are a result of the immune response and are the body's way of fighting off the infection.
Once the infection is cleared, the immune system retains a memory of the pathogen, allowing for a faster and more effective response if the same pathogen is encountered again in the future.
The first line of defense is the innate immune response, which includes physical barriers like the skin and mucous membranes, as well as immune cells like macrophages and neutrophils. These cells work to engulf and destroy the pathogen.
If the innate immune response is not enough to eliminate the infection, the adaptive immune response is activated. This involves the production of specific antibodies and the activation of T cells, which work together to target and destroy the pathogen.
During this process, the body may also experience symptoms of infection, such as fever, inflammation, and fatigue. These symptoms are a result of the immune response and are the body's way of fighting off the infection.
Once the infection is cleared, the immune system retains a memory of the pathogen, allowing for a faster and more effective response if the same pathogen is encountered again in the future.
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Google Gemini AI
May 6
Immunity and Infection Response
When the body detects an invading microorganism (e.g., bacteria, virus, fungus), it mounts an immune response to fight the infection.
1. Recognition and Activation:
- Innate (nonspecific) immunity: Immune cells recognize general features of microorganisms, such as bacterial cell walls or viral proteins.
- Adaptive (specific) immunity: T and B lymphocytes recognize specific antigens on the microorganism.
2. Inflammation:
- Activated immune cells release chemical messengers (e.g., cytokines) that trigger inflammation.
- Blood vessels dilate, allowing immune cells and fluid to enter the infected area.
- Redness, swelling, heat, and pain develop.
3. Cellular Response:
- Phagocytosis: Macrophages and neutrophils engulf and destroy microorganisms.
- Natural killer cells: Kill infected or cancerous cells.
4. Humoral Response:
- B lymphocytes: Produce antibodies that bind to specific antigens on microorganisms.
- Antibodies neutralize toxins, promote phagocytosis, and activate other immune mechanisms.
5. Adaptive Response:
- T helper cells: Recognize antigen-presenting cells and activate other immune cells.
- Cytotoxic T cells: Kill infected cells.
- Memory cells: Remember the specific infection and provide long-term immunity.
6. Resolution:
- If the infection is successfully cleared, the immune response subsides.
- Inflammation gradually resolves, and tissue repairs.
Additional Mechanisms:
- Fever: Elevated body temperature inhibits microbial growth.
- Interferons: Antiviral proteins released by immune cells.
- Complement system: A cascade of proteins that enhances phagocytosis and antibody-mediated killing.
Chronicity and Immune Dysregulation:
Sometimes, the immune response becomes chronic or dysregulated, leading to:
- Persistent inflammation
- Autoimmunity (when the immune system attacks healthy tissues)
- Sepsis (a severe inflammatory response to infection that can be life-threatening)
When the body detects an invading microorganism (e.g., bacteria, virus, fungus), it mounts an immune response to fight the infection.
1. Recognition and Activation:
- Innate (nonspecific) immunity: Immune cells recognize general features of microorganisms, such as bacterial cell walls or viral proteins.
- Adaptive (specific) immunity: T and B lymphocytes recognize specific antigens on the microorganism.
2. Inflammation:
- Activated immune cells release chemical messengers (e.g., cytokines) that trigger inflammation.
- Blood vessels dilate, allowing immune cells and fluid to enter the infected area.
- Redness, swelling, heat, and pain develop.
3. Cellular Response:
- Phagocytosis: Macrophages and neutrophils engulf and destroy microorganisms.
- Natural killer cells: Kill infected or cancerous cells.
4. Humoral Response:
- B lymphocytes: Produce antibodies that bind to specific antigens on microorganisms.
- Antibodies neutralize toxins, promote phagocytosis, and activate other immune mechanisms.
5. Adaptive Response:
- T helper cells: Recognize antigen-presenting cells and activate other immune cells.
- Cytotoxic T cells: Kill infected cells.
- Memory cells: Remember the specific infection and provide long-term immunity.
6. Resolution:
- If the infection is successfully cleared, the immune response subsides.
- Inflammation gradually resolves, and tissue repairs.
Additional Mechanisms:
- Fever: Elevated body temperature inhibits microbial growth.
- Interferons: Antiviral proteins released by immune cells.
- Complement system: A cascade of proteins that enhances phagocytosis and antibody-mediated killing.
Chronicity and Immune Dysregulation:
Sometimes, the immune response becomes chronic or dysregulated, leading to:
- Persistent inflammation
- Autoimmunity (when the immune system attacks healthy tissues)
- Sepsis (a severe inflammatory response to infection that can be life-threatening)
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