Phl p 2: Difference between revisions
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The immune system is the body's way of protecting itself from foreign and potentially harmful microbes such as viruses and bacteria. When an unknown substance enters the body the immune system responds with a cascade of reactions which begin with identification of the microbe and hopefully ends with the neutralization of the pathogen. The identification and recognition of a pathogen however is a tricky process as the immune system must be able to differentiate between its own cells and foreign ones. The inability of the immune system to differentiate between foreign and native cells is potentially dangerous as it could lead to autoimmune diseases which can vary in severity from eczema to lupus. The responsibility of identifying pathogens is put on small glycoproteins called antibodies. | The immune system is the body's way of protecting itself from foreign and potentially harmful microbes such as viruses and bacteria. When an unknown substance enters the body the immune system responds with a cascade of reactions which begin with identification of the microbe and hopefully ends with the neutralization of the pathogen. The identification and recognition of a pathogen however is a tricky process as the immune system must be able to differentiate between its own cells and foreign ones. The inability of the immune system to differentiate between foreign and native cells is potentially dangerous as it could lead to autoimmune diseases which can vary in severity from eczema to lupus. The responsibility of identifying pathogens is put on small glycoproteins called antibodies. | ||
==Antibodies== | ==Antibodies== | ||
There are 5 main isotopes of antibodies in mammals which allows the immune system to differentiate between the varying types of invasions which in turn ensures that the situation is handled properly and efficiently. The 5 antibody isotopes are IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, and IgD. IgG is the most common isotope which constitutes about 80% of the total antibodies circulating in the blood. IgM antibodies are found on the surface of B cells, and are usually the first antibodies at the site of an infection. IgA antibodies are found in mucus, tears, sweat, and breast milk where it prevents colonization by pathogens. IgE antibodies are the least abundant isotope however they play an important role in allergic reactions and inflammatory response. IgD antibodies are predominantly found on the surface of B-lymphocytes | There are 5 main isotopes of antibodies in mammals which allows the immune system to differentiate between the varying types of invasions which in turn ensures that the situation is handled properly and efficiently. The 5 antibody isotopes are IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, and IgD. IgG is the most common isotope which constitutes about 80% of the total antibodies circulating in the blood. IgM antibodies are found on the surface of B cells, and are usually the first antibodies at the site of an infection. IgA antibodies are found in mucus, tears, sweat, and breast milk where it prevents colonization by pathogens. IgE antibodies are the least abundant isotope however they play an important role in allergic reactions and inflammatory response. IgD antibodies are predominantly found on the surface of B-lymphocytes where they are thought to activate B cells. | ||
[[Image:Immunoglobulin.jpg]] | [[Image:Immunoglobulin.jpg]] | ||
[[Image:Antibody_basic_structure.gif]] | [[Image:Antibody_basic_structure.gif]] | ||
Revision as of 20:53, 2 December 2010
Immune systemImmune system
The immune system is the body's way of protecting itself from foreign and potentially harmful microbes such as viruses and bacteria. When an unknown substance enters the body the immune system responds with a cascade of reactions which begin with identification of the microbe and hopefully ends with the neutralization of the pathogen. The identification and recognition of a pathogen however is a tricky process as the immune system must be able to differentiate between its own cells and foreign ones. The inability of the immune system to differentiate between foreign and native cells is potentially dangerous as it could lead to autoimmune diseases which can vary in severity from eczema to lupus. The responsibility of identifying pathogens is put on small glycoproteins called antibodies.
AntibodiesAntibodies
There are 5 main isotopes of antibodies in mammals which allows the immune system to differentiate between the varying types of invasions which in turn ensures that the situation is handled properly and efficiently. The 5 antibody isotopes are IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, and IgD. IgG is the most common isotope which constitutes about 80% of the total antibodies circulating in the blood. IgM antibodies are found on the surface of B cells, and are usually the first antibodies at the site of an infection. IgA antibodies are found in mucus, tears, sweat, and breast milk where it prevents colonization by pathogens. IgE antibodies are the least abundant isotope however they play an important role in allergic reactions and inflammatory response. IgD antibodies are predominantly found on the surface of B-lymphocytes where they are thought to activate B cells.
Type I HypersensitivityType I Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity mechanismHypersensitivity mechanism
Phl p 2 and huMab2Phl p 2 and huMab2
