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Immune System
This category is for questions about how our bodies identify and fight off disease, infection or pathogens through specialized cells, tissues and organs. The system that does this is called the immune system. It produces antibodies which recognize intruders and neutralizes potentially pathogenic organisms or substances.
4,548 Questions
Antibodies (also known as immunoglobulins,abbreviated Ig) are gamma globulin proteins that are found in blood or other bodily fluids of vertebrates, and are used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects, such as bacteria and viruses. They are typically made of basic structural units-each with two large heavy chains and two small light chains-to form, for example, monomers with one unit, dimers with two units or pentamers with five units. Antibodies are produced by a kind of white blood cell called a plasma cell. There are several different types of antibody heavy chains, and several different kinds of antibodies, which are grouped into different isotypes based on which heavy chain they possess. Five different antibody isotypes are known in mammals, which perform different roles, and help direct the appropriate immune response for each different type of foreign object they encounter.
Though the general structure of all antibodies is very similar, a small region at the tip of the protein is extremely variable, allowing millions of antibodies with slightly different tip structures, or antigen binding sites, to exist. This region is known as the hypervariable region. Each of these variants can bind to a different target, known as an antigen. This huge diversity of antibodies allows the immune system to recognize an equally wide diversity of antigens. The unique part of the antigen recognized by an antibody is called an epitope. These epitopes bind with their antibody in a highly specific interaction, called induced fit, that allows antibodies to identify and bind only their unique antigen in the midst of the millions of different molecules that make up an organism. Recognition of an antigen by an antibody tags it for attack by other parts of the immune system. Antibodies can also neutralize targets directly by, for example, binding to a part of a pathogen that it needs to cause an infection.
The large and diverse population of antibodies is generated by random combinations of a set of gene segments that encode different antigen binding sites (or paratopes), followed by random mutations in this area of the antibody gene, which create further diversity. Antibody genes also re-organize in a process called class switching that changes the base of the heavy chain to another, creating a different isotype of the antibody that retains the antigen specific variable region. This allows a single antibody to be used by several different parts of the immune system. Production of antibodies is the main function of the humoral immune system.
Are leukocytes and blood in urine symptoms of lupus?
Yes, these are all signs of Lupus. Looking for these 2 things are some of the things the doctor will look for when trying to diagnose you with Lupus.
Is 8900 a normal Lymphocyte count in a female body or does it indicate exist of an infection?
No, it is still within the normal range.
What did Edward Jenner do to stop illnesses getting worse?
Edward Jenner made a vaccicn that help people with smallpox
Edward Jenner spoted that people who had cowpox could not get smallpox James phipps was the first person the be vaccinated by a weak form of cowpox
Think is Negative RH and a positive baby, but usually this means there has been a previous undiagnosed untreated delivery of another positive baby in which the mother wasn't given the r-gram shot with in 24 hours after birth. There are some treatments to prevent the reaction to rh negative combinations to assist in controlling the reaction on the second child.
Do men have a strong immune system than women?
Women can have immunity's to illnesses as men. Likewise men can be less immune to illnesses than some women, it all depends on that persons surroundings, personal immunity to illnesses, and diet.
How does your body fight chlamydia?
Your body defends against chlamydia in a number of ways:
- Intact, healthy skin prevents entry of the germ;
- Blood lymphocytes and T cells fight the bacteria after infection;
- Humoral factors also fight infection.
see related link
What diseases are treated with Bee Venom Therapy?
MS patients have reported increased stability, along with less fatigue and muscle spasm, after trying the therapy. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis have said pain and swelling have decreased following the stings.
What is the site Wobenzym all about?
The site Wobenzym is a website that promotes the use of Wobenzym. Wobenzym is an enzyme tablet that contains plant based enzymes that are supposed to support a healthy immune system.
What function does a leukocyte have in the digestive process?
None. A leukocyte is a white blood cell and it has no function in the digestion of food. It does function as part of the immune system, so if there is something that is harmful in the food, it can help destroy it. But as far as breaking down food for absorption in the cells of the body, it has no role in that process.
What 3 types of bacteria attack the immune system?
rice, beans, and milk also people with jaylon names have it
Are there cases where the toe nails grow faster than the fingernails?
My toenails definitely grow faster than my fingernails. I must be one of the unusual people in this world because everything I read sayd that fingernails grow faster. I know for a fact that my toenails grow faster, but I have no idea why. I wish my fingernails would grow as fast as my toenails! I don't think that toenails grow faster than fingernails, it's that toenails tend to be stronger so they don't break as easily. That's why it seems to some people that their toenails are growing faster than their fingernails; Fingernails are more susceptible to breakage because they are thinner.
Hyperaids is AIDS but from the future.
Basically, AIDS in humans was cured but someone went to the future and sexually abused a monkey and returned back to their own time causing widespread Hyperaids worldwide.
P.S. You CAN catch AIDS through sharing swimming pool water with infected individuals.
How can pathogens enter yogurt and how can this be prevented?
Pathogens can enter yogurt if unpasteurized milk was used and if the temperature was not brought up to temperature before inoculating the milk with the yogurt cultures. Spoilage of the milk would occur if the temperature was not brought to 80 degrees celsius for 15 minutes. Pathogens also enter if food handling procedures are misused or if there are unsanitary practices. This all can be prevented by proper temperatures, proper food handling and hand washing practices.
What are the Five types of antibodies and there structure?
IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM
(alpha, delta, epsilon, gamma and mu)
IgD, IgE and IgG are monomers
IgA has a monomer form as well as a dimmer composed of two conjoined monomers
IgM is a pentamer composed of five monomers
In order for antigens to incite the immune response they must be?
in order for antigens to incite the immune response the y must be ?
Toe nails are good for one thing. The only thing that toe nails are good for are to protect the nerves from getting damaged.
What is an analogy for an organ?
The organs in the body work together like members of a pit crew servicing a race car. :]
When is inmate immunity acquired?
It develops as the embryo develops into a fetus, since you are born with these defenses.
When would Cogentin be used as an antidote?
It may be proven helpful in stallions with penile paralysis induced by phenothiazine tranquilizers (propriopromazine, acepromazine, and reserpine) if given with in the first few hours of the clinical signs. Cogentin generic name is Benztropine mesylate.
