BIOCHEMISTRY TOPIC 3: CONCEPT OF IMMUNOLOGY AND INFLAMMATION
BIOCHEMISTRY TOPIC 3
IMMUNE SYSTEM
- Essential for our survival because our
bodies would be open to attack from
bacteria, viruses, parasites, and more
without it.
- Keeps us healthy as we drift through a sea
of pathogens (an organism causing
disease to its host).
- If the immune system encounters a
pathogen, it mounts a so-called immune
response.
WHITE BLOOD CELLS
- Also called leukocytes.
- They circulate in the body through blood
vessels and lymphatic vessels that parallel
the veins and arteries.
- WBCs are made in the bone marrow and
found in the blood and lymph tissue.
- WBCs are part of the body’s immune
system.
LYMPHOID ORGANS
- This is where the WBCs are stored all
throughout the body.
 THYMUS – a gland between the lungs just
below the neck.
 SPLEEN – an organ that filters the blood.
It sits in the upper left of the abdomen.
 BONE MARROW – found in the center of
the bones, also produces RBC.
 LYMPH NODES – small glands positioned
throughout the body, linked by lymphatic
vessels.
THE LYMPHOID ORGANS
TWO MAIN TYPES OF LEUKOCYTES
a) PHAGOCYTES – surround and absorb
pathogens and break them down
effectively after eating.
i) NEUTROPHILS – most common type
of phagocytes and then to attack
bacteria.
ii) MONOCYTES – largest type and have
several roles.
iii) MACROPHAGES – these patrol for
pathogens and remove dead and
dying cells.
iv) MAST CELL – have many jobs
including helping to heal wounds and
defend against pathogens.
b) LYMPHOCYCTES – helps the body
remember previous invader and recognize
them if they come back to attack again.
i) B LYMPHOCYTES (shield) – produce
antibodies and help alert the T
lymphocytes. Antibodies attach to a
specific antigen and makes it easier
for the immune system to destroy the
antigen.
ii) T LYMPHOCYTES (sword) – cell
eating. Destroy the compromised cells
in the body and help alert other
leukocytes. They also release
chemicals (cytokines) which control
the entire immune response.
iii)
THE ROLE OF B LYMPHOCYTES
- Once B lymphocytes spot the antigen,
they begin to secret antibodies (antigen is
short for antigen generators).
- Antibodies are special proteins that lock
on to specific antigens.
- Each B cell makes one specific antibody
only.
- Antibodies lock onto the antigen but they
do not kill it, only mark it for death. Killing
is the job of other cells, such as
phagocytes.
- Antibodies are part of a large family of
chemicals called immunoglobulins.
 IgG – marks microbes so other cells can
recognize and deal with them. (Antigen
has been recognized by your body,
produces and copies antibodies incase
antigen comes back).
 IgM – is expert at killing bacteria,
frontliners.
 IgA – congregates fluids such as tears
and saliva, where it produces gateways
into body.
 IgE – protects against parasites and is
also to blame for allergies.
 IgD – stays bound to B cells, helping them
start the immune response.
THE ROLE OF T LYMPHOCYTES
 HELPER T CELLS (TH CELLS) –
coordinate the immune response. Some
communicate with other cells, and some
stimulate B cells to increase of decrease
antibodies. Others attract more T cells or
cell-eating phagocytes.
 KILLER T CELLS (CYTOTOXIC T
LYMPHOCYTES) – as the name
suggests, these cells attack other cells.
They are particularly useful for fighting
viruses. They work by recognize small
parts of the virus on the outside of infected
cells and destroy the infected cells.
same antigen appears again, it can be
dealt with more quickly.
- That is why with some disease like
chickenpox, you only get it once as the
body has a chickenpox antibody stored,
ready and waiting to destroy it the next
time it arrives. This is called immunity.
THREE TYPES OF IMMUNITY
a) INNATE IMMUNITY – we are all born with
some level of immunity to invaders. The
innate immunity includes the external
barriers of our body, the first line of
defense such as the skin and mucous
membrane of the throat and gut.
- cough reflex, enzymes in tears and skin
oils, mucous which traps small particles,
skin, stomach acid.
- Innate immunity also comes in a protein
chemical form called innate humoral
immunity (interferon and interleukin-1,
which causes fever).
b) ADAPTIVE (ACQUIRED) IMMUNITY –
immunity that develops with exposure ro
various antigens. Referred to as
immunological memory because our
immune system remembers previous
enemies.
- Your immune system builds a defense
against that specific antigen.
c) PASSIVE IMMUNITY – this type of
immunity is borrowed from another
source and does not last indefinitely.
- a baby receives antibodies from the
mother through the placenta before birth
and in breast milk after birth, this passive
immunity protects baby from infection
during early stages of life but disappears
between ages 6-12 months.
- Passive immunization may also be due to
injection of antiserum, which contains
antibodies that are formed by another
person or animal. Immune serum globulin
(given for hepatitis exposure) and tetanus

IMMUNE SYSEM
- Everyone’s immune system is different but
as a rule, it becomes stronger during
adulthood as by this time we have been
exposed to more pathogens and
developed more immunity,
- That is why teens and adults tend to get
sick less often than children.
- Once an antibody has been produced, a
copy remains in the body so that if the
 antitoxin are examples of passive
immunization.
IMMUNIZATIONS - Immunization introduces
antigens or weakened pathogens to a person in
such a way that the individual does not become
sick but still produces antibodies. Because the
body saves copies of the antibodies, it is
protected if the threat should reappear later in life.
IMMUNE SYSTEM DISORDERS - Because the
immune system is so complex, there are many
potential ways in which it can go wrong.
THREE TYPES OF IMMUNE DISORDER
a) IMMUNODEFICIENCIES – when one or
more parts of the immune system do not
function. Immunodeficiencies can be
caused in several ways, including age,
obesity, and alcoholism. (malnutrition and
AIDS).
- In some cases, immunodeficiency can be
inherited (chronic granulomatous disease
where phagocytes do not function
properly).
b) AUTOIMMUNITY - the immune system
mistakenly targets healthy cells, rather
than foreign pathogens or faulty cells. In
this scenario, they cannot distinguish self
from non-self (celiac disease, type 1
diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and Graves’
disease).
c) HYPERSENSITIVITY - the immune
system overreacts in a way that damages
healthy tissue (anaphylactic shock where
the body responds to an allergen).
INFLAMMATION - occurs when tissues are
injured by bacteria, trauma, toxins, heat, or any
other cause.
- The damaged cells release chemicals
including histamine, bradykinin, and
prostaglandins.
- These chemicals cause blood vessels to
leak fluid into the tissues, causing
swelling.
- This helps isolate the foreign substance
from further contact with body tissues.
- The chemicals also attract white blood
cells called phagocytes that "eat" germs
and dead or damaged cells.
- This process is called phagocytosis.
Phagocytes eventually die.
- Pus is formed from a collection of dead
tissue, dead bacteria, and live and dead
phagocytes.
ALLERGY - body’s reaction to a normally
harmless substance such as pollen, molds,
animal dander, latex, certain foods, and insect
stings.
- Allergy symptoms range from mild – rash
or hives, itchiness, runny nose, watery/red
eyes – to life-threatening.
- Treatments include antihistamines,
decongestants, nasal steroids, asthma
medicines and immunotherapy
ALLERGIC REACTION - is the way your body
responds to the allergen. A chain of events occur
that result in an allergic reaction.
- If you are prone to allergies, the first time
you’re exposed to a specific allergen (such
as pollen), your body responds by
producing allergic (IgE) antibodies.
- The job of these antibodies is to find the
allergens and help remove them from your
system.
- As a result, a chemical called histamine is
released and causes symptoms of
allergies.
- Most allergies are inherited, which means
they are passed on to children by their
parents. People inherit a tendency to be
 allergic, although not to any specific
allergen.

WHAT CAUSES ALLERGIES

- Anything that you encounter that your
body views as a “harmful invader” can be
a cause of an allergy. Normally harmless
substances that are common causes of
allergies include pollen, animal dander,
mold, dust, foods, insect venom and latex
- Technically, your symptoms are the result
of a chain of events that are your body’s
response to the “harmful invader.” Your
body “sees” the invader, makes antibodies
to fight the invader, and in so doing,
releases histamines that cause your
allergy symptoms.