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Immune System

The immune system is the body’s line of defense, one that protects and defends it against possible infections caused by the millions of bacterias, viruses, parasites or fungi that the body comes in contact with everyday. The immune system is a complex of organs that is collectively referred to as lymphoid organs. And although these organs are located and operate in areas all across the body, there are some particular areas where the cells of the immune system are found in concrete structures. The structures are categorized as peripheral lymphoid tissue (spleen, lymph nodes, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) and central lymphoid tissue (thymus and bone marrow).

The immune system operates by categorizing agents as being self or non-self (foreign). If a foreign body is deemed threatening, a subsequent attack is mounted against it. One of the fundamental challenges encountered by the immune system is that of correctly categorizing whether something is self or non-self, and whether it is a safe non-self or a dangerous non-self. The inability to make correct judgments is what causes disorders such as immunodeficiency and autoimmunity.

More Entries on the Immune System

Innate Immunity
Adaptive Immunity
Autoimmune Disorder
Immunodeficiency Disorder

Web Resources On Immune System

Microbiology @ Leicester
NIAID

Book Resources On Immune System

How the Immune System Works by Lauren Sompayrac
Basic Immunology: Functions and Disorders of the Immune System by Abbas and Lichtman

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