What is the immune system?
The immune system is a group of cells, proteins, tissues, and special organs that work together against everything that is harmful to our body.
This system consists of various components, ranging from cells to organs. One type of cell that is very important in these tissues is white blood cells (leukocytes).
Leukocytes are produced or stored in various places in our body. Among these are the thymus, spleen, and bone marrow, where these organs are known as lymphoid organs. Sometimes leukocytes are also stored in lumps of lymphoid tissue (lymph glands) that are spread throughout your body.
Leukocytes move throughout the body through lymphatic vessels and blood vessels as they move around, monitoring for possible dangerous invaders.
There are two main types of leukocytes that work together to find and kill organisms or substances that cause disease, namely :
- Lymphocytes are cells that help the body remember and recognize previous invaders. Lymphocytes also help destroy these invaders. There are two types of lymphocytes, namely B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. Produced in the bone marrow, lymphocytes will settle and develop into B cells, or move to the thymus gland and develop into T cells.
- Phagocytes are cells that eat these invaders. There are various types of cells that are classified as phagocytes. Each type of phagocytes has their respective functions. For example, the most common type is neutrophils, which work against bacteria in the body.
Microorganisms and other substances that attack the body are called antigens or also called germs. When antigens are detected, a series of immune responses will occur to protect the body from being infected.
In this process, several types of cells work together to recognize antigens and respond. These cells then stimulate B lymphocytes to produce antibodies. Antibodies are proteins that are made specifically to attach to certain antigens. After that, T cells look for antigens that have been boarded and destroy them. T cells also help signal other cells (such as phagocytes) to do their respective jobs.
When produced, antibodies will be in a person's body for some time, so that if antigens or germs return to attack, antibodies are available to do their job, namely destroying antigens.
Antibodies can also neutralize toxins produced by organisms and activate a group of proteins called complement. Complement is a part of the immune system that helps destroy infected bacteria, viruses or cells.
Together, all special cells and immune system groups produce protection for the body against disease. This protection is called immunity.
That is a little explanation about antibodies or the immune system in our body. To find out more about various antibodies, please visit your local doctor.
Let's love yourself and your family from various diseases by implementing a healthy lifestyle in your family.
Source: https://www.healthzia.net/
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