In chapter 20 we covered the immune system, both the innate and adaptive. Choose a pathogen...

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Medical Sciences

In chapter 20 we covered the immune system, both the innate andadaptive. Choose a pathogen and describe how the body will use bothinnate and adaptive means to combat this pathogen. Get creativewith this, there are so many different viruses, bacteria, andparasites that can make us sick!
Make sure you mention the disease/parasite/ailment that iscaused by the pathogen, what the body does to protect itselfinnately, and how the body adapts to this.

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The immune system rests on twomajor pillars the innate general defense and the adaptivespecialized defense Both systems work closely together and take ondifferent tasksBoth parts of the immune system work on differentlevels Firstly there are special defense cells in the differenttissues that are directly involved in eliminating pathogensgerms These cells belong to the socalled cellulardefenseSecondly both the innate andthe adaptive immune system also need several soluble substancesfound in blood and other body fluids These are mainly proteinslike enzymes antibodies and short amino acid chains Thesesubstances belong to the humoral defense from the Latin humormeaning fluid So both parts of the immune system the innateand the adaptive use cellular and humoral defensestrategiesInnate immune system Fast andbroadly effectiveThe strength of the innategeneral defense is to be able to take action very quickly It makessure for example that bacteria that have entered the skin througha small wound are detected and partly destroyed on the spot withina few hours As the innate immune response is not specialized forspecific pathogens it does not need a long startup phase Becauseof this broad effect it is only capable to a certain degree ofstopping germs from entering and spreading in the bodyThe innate defense consists ofseveral elementsThe skin and all mucousmembranes in the body openings which form externalbarriersDifferent defense cells from thewhite blood cell group leukocytesVarious substances in the bloodand in body fluidsProtection from the outsideSkin and mucous membranesAll external and internalsurfaces of the human body are a key element of the innate immunesystem The closed surface of the skin and of all mucous membranesalready forms a mechanical barrier for pathogens which preventsthem from entering Additionally chemical substances like acidenzymes or mucus prevent the bacteria or viruses from gaining afoothold Movements created for example by hairlike structuresin the bronchi cilia or by bowel muscles stop germs from settlingin the body Tear fluid sweat or urine rinsing the urinary organsall have a similar effectProtection from the insideDefense cells and proteinsIf despite all obstaclespathogens make it past the skin or mucous membranes and enter thebody the innate systems second line of defense comes into actionInflammatory cells move to the site of infection or See Answer

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