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Immunity - Lesson Notes

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12 views4 pages

Immunity - Lesson Notes

Uploaded by

abwoyjr
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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IMMUNITY

Immunity refers to the ability of plants or animals to resist infections by pathogens. The immune
system developed in these organisms create a mechanism to prevent pathogens from entering
or operating in their bodies.

The immune system - importance to immunity

The immune system is made up of specialized organs, cells, and tissues that all work together to destroy
pathogens. Thus, it helps to protect organisms against diseases caused by pathogens such as viruses,
bacteria, and parasites

Antigens and Antibodies

The invaders (pathogens) that can cause disease are called antigens. Antigens trigger an immune
response in the body. When invaders are detected in the body antibodies (proteins that help to fight off
antigens) are produced in the body.

The work of antibodies in fighting antigens gives immunity to the body. Ways in which the body gains
immunity is discussed as passive and active immunity. Both types may be acquired naturally or
artificially.

Natural active immunity

Immunity obtained as a result of an infection. The body itself produces appropriate antibodies and
lymphocytes. This is because memory cells, produced on exposure to the first infection, are able to
stimulate the production of massive quantities of antibody when exposed to the same antigen again.

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Artificial active immunity (vaccination)

This involves inoculating a person with small amount of antigen, called vaccine to produce immunity to
a disease. The process is called vaccination. The antigen stimulates the body to manufacture antibodies
against the antigen.

Natural passive immunity

In passive immunity antibodies are introduced from another source, as from mother to foetus which is
natural passive immunity

Artificial passive immunity

Here antibodies which have been formed in one individual are extracted and then injected into the
blood of another individual which may or may not be of the same species.

Factors that reduce immunity to pathogenic diseases

The ability of the body to defend itself against pathogenic diseases can be lowered by the following
factors:

❖ Malnutrition or poor diet: A diet that lacks vitamins and minerals reduces the effectiveness of
the immune system. A diet that lacks protein and starch can cause deficiency disease. A lack of
sunlight, resulting in vitamin D deficiency, also affects the immune system.
❖ Repeated invasions by pathogens: reduce the effectiveness of the immune system. Repeated
infections of, for example cholera or malaria, lead to poor health and even death.
❖ Development of resistant strains of pathogens: Some pathogens can no longer be treated
by medicine. Some pathogens, for example Plasmodium develop drug resistance. Scientists must
continue to develop new and stronger drugs to kill the pathogens.
❖ Stress:
❖ Radiation exposure:

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❖ Intake of immunosuppressant: are a class of drugs that suppress, or reduce, the
strength of the body's immune system. Some of these drugs are used to make the body
less likely to reject a transplanted organ, such as a liver, heart, or kidney. These drugs are
called antirejection drugs.
❖ HIV infection:
❖ Excessive alcohol:

The immune system is not equally effective for all people. Aging weakens the immune system and old
people fall ill more often and more easily than young people. Young children often get sick very quickly
because they do not have as many antibodies as adults. People who live in a polluted environment place
an additional strain on their immune system. Cigarette smoke, alcohol or environmental pollutants also
reduce the effectiveness of the immune system.

Importance of immunization

Immunization is the process by which an individual's immune system becomes fortified against an agent
(known as the immunogen).

When this system is exposed to molecules that are foreign to the body it will orchestrate an immune
response, and it will also develop the ability to quickly respond to a subsequent encounter because of
immunological memory.

Immunization is done mostly by vaccination. Vaccines against microorganisms that cause diseases, can
prepare the body's immune system, thus helping to fight or prevent an infection. In children immunization
helps in developing the immune system

Active immunization

Natural active immunization is when a person comes in contact with a pathogen. The immune system
will eventually create antibodies and other defences against the microbe. The next time, the immune
response against this microbe can be very efficient.

Artificial active immunization is where the microbe, or parts of it, are injected into the person before they
are able to take it in naturally.

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Passive immunization

Passive immunization is where pre-synthesized elements (antibodies) of the immune system are
transferred to a person so that the body does not need to produce these elements itself.

Artificial passive immunization is normally administered by injection and is used if there has been a recent
outbreak of a particular disease

EXAM TIPS

The four types of immunity are important (natural active, artificial active, natural passive, and
artificial passive). Given a situation or example you should be able to tell the type of immunity
involved or received by a person.

end

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