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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.
humoral immunity
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_Centralized_System_and_Distributed_System_as_far_as_operating_system_data_replicability_system_memory_and_homogeinity_are_concerned"
It depends on how low. The white blood cells are the infection fighting cells. An individual with a wbc below 1000 would be at risk of catching an infection ,and not have the ability to fight it off.
Which organ systems help fight diseases?
Your immune system or your live, but you have to have healthy liver to filter out all your diseases.
Is it safe to swallow bath water?
Yes it is safe usually to swallow a mouth or two of bath water. I wouldn't drink it though as it will contain unpleasant tastes of soap or shampoo !
What does it mean if you keep peeing in your pants without the need to go to the bathroom?
now that's just nasty i would think you need to see the doctor now if you was 2 or3 then that's understanderbol but please go see the doctor.
SLEEP-WISE ALONE is it unhealthy to sleep from 3am to 2pm and be awake from 2pm to 3am?
It is not necessarily unhealthy to sleep from 3am to 2pm and be awake from 2pm to 3am. Most people do not require 11 hours of sleep a day. People who work swing shift sometimes get to bed as late as 3am and wake up around 11am.
What does it mean that mucus is a front line defense against infections?
Mucus is a defense against infection as it hepls to catch foreign substances in the airways and other places.
(I'm going to use the respiratory system becasue I know the most about it)
Mucus is secreted by goblet cells in the lining of the aesophagus, where is is pushed up and out by little cilliated epithelium cells. The mucous acts as an impermeable, sticky barrier - imagine it to be like honey.
The mucus helps to catch substances that you have breathed in, such as dust, pathogens, and pollen. The mucus stops this from entering the lungs, and particularly for the pathogens, it stops them from entering the bloodstream.
The cillia cells then move the mucous up and out of the aesophagus and into the stomach, where they are killed by your stomach acids. Of course, another way to get rid of it is to cough...
That's called chills, and is a normal symptom of fevers and the flu. However, if it persists or happens daily, when you aren't ill, then see your doctor.
What is an appropriate response?
Updates authorized pre-travel expense estimates on the voucher with acutal TDY costs.
What is the response to bliadhna mhath ur?
The response to "bliadhna mhath ur," which means "Happy New Year" in Scottish Gaelic, is often "bliadhna mhath ur dhut," meaning "Happy New Year to you." Alternatively, a simple smile and acknowledgment can also suffice, as the sentiment is generally understood and appreciated. It's a way to extend good wishes for the upcoming year.
A bacteriocidin is any antibody which, together with a complement, can kill bacteria.
What is the definition of antibody?
An antibody is a y shaped molecule which is specific to a particular antigen, it is a globular protein which is made by white blood cells called lymphocytes. These defend the body against antigens (alien cells).
Media can come in different forms, in computing media is referring to Compact Disks and USB devices which are classed as portable media devices. Music/pictures and videos are all types of media.
