A defense system consisting of innate and adaptive immunity that protects the body from pathogens.
Overview
Immune System
The immune system is a complex biological defense system that protects the body from pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. It consists of two main mechanisms: innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Innate immunity is an immediate defense mechanism present from birth, with neutrophils, macrophages, and NK cells playing major roles. Adaptive immunity is an antigen-specific immune response acquired after birth, characterized by antibody production by B cells and cellular immunity by T cells. B cells mediate humoral immunity, producing antigen-specific antibodies that neutralize pathogens. T cells mediate cellular immunity, with CD4+ helper T cells coordinating immune responses and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells directly eliminating infected or cancerous cells. These immune cells work in coordination, forming immunological memory to enable rapid and effective defense upon re-exposure to pathogens.
immune system
innate immunity
adaptive immunity
B cells
T cells
antibodies
biology
medicine
| code | slug | name | description | category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | innate-immunity | Innate Immunity | An immediate, nonspecific immune mechanism present from birth. | Immunity Classification |
| 2 | adaptive-immunity | Adaptive Immunity | An antigen-specific immune mechanism acquired after birth. | Immunity Classification |
| 3 | b-cells | B Cells | Lymphocytes that mature in bone marrow and mediate humoral immunity by producing antibodies. | Immune Cells |
| 4 | t-cells | T Cells | Lymphocytes that mature in the thymus and mediate cellular immunity. | Immune Cells |
| 5 | antibodies | Antibodies | Y-shaped proteins produced by B cells that neutralize pathogens. | Immune Molecules |
| 6 | helper-t-cells | Helper T Cells | T cells with CD4 markers that function as command centers of immune responses. | T Cell Subsets |
| 7 | cytotoxic-t-cells | Cytotoxic T Cells | T cells with CD8 markers that directly kill infected or cancerous cells. | T Cell Subsets |
| 8 | immunological-memory | Immunological Memory | The ability to respond rapidly and vigorously to previously encountered antigens. | Immune Mechanisms |