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Factors Effecting Immune System Final
Factors Effecting Immune System Final
Factors Effecting Immune System Final
Table Of Contents
IMMUNE SYSTEM ...................................................................................................................... 3
Effect Of Age On Immune System ............................................................................................ 3
Effect Of Genetic Factors On Immune System ………………………………………………………………6
Effect Of Environmental Factors On Immune System ……………………………………………………....7
Effect Of Gender On Immune System………………………………………………………………………………8
Effect Of Race On Immune System …………………………………………………………………………………9
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FACTORS EFFECTING IMMUNE SYSTEM BBT221004
IMMUNE SYSTEM
Immune system is the complex system of defense responses found in humans and other
developed vertebrates that helps to eradicate disease-causing organisms. Immunity from
disease is actually combination of two cooperative and interconnected defense systems,
called nonspecific, innate immunity and specific, acquired immunity. Nonspecific protective
mechanisms target all microorganisms equally, while the specific immune responses are
tailored to particular types of invaders. Both systems work together to prevent organisms
from entering and proliferating within the body. These immune mechanisms also help to
eliminate abnormal cells of the body that can develop into cancer. Invaders include
Cancer cells
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Newborns :
At birth, acquired (specific) immunity is not fully developed. However, newborns have
some antibodies, which crossed the placenta from the mother during pregnancy. These
antibodies protect newborns against infections until their own immune system fully
develops. Breastfed newborns also receive antibodies from the mother in breast milk. The
immune system gradually matures during infancy. Critical early protection against many
infectious diseases previously experienced by the mother is given by the passive IgG
antibody transferred from the mother transplacentally and in milk. Once that fades away,
young children become more vulnerable to infections, though by then better armed with the
maturing innate and adaptive immune systems.
Older people :
As people age, the immune system becomes less effective in the following ways:
The immune system becomes less able to distinguish self from nonself (that is, to
identify foreign antigens). As a result, autoimmune disorders become more common.
Macrophages destroy bacteria, cancer cells, and other antigens more slowly. This
slowdown may be one reason that cancer is more common among older people.
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FACTORS EFFECTING IMMUNE SYSTEM BBT221004
Our immune system’s capacity declines as we get older, especially above the age of 70
years due to decrease in functioning of T-cells as a result of the degeneration of the
thymus gland in the body which is the main site for T-cell production.
T cells (memory cells ) respond less quickly to the antigens.
There are fewer white blood cells capable of responding to new antigens. Thus, when
older people encounter a new antigen, the body is less able to remember and defend
against it.
Older people have smaller amounts of complement proteins and do not produce as
many of these proteins as younger people do in response to bacterial infections.
Although the amount of antibody produced in response to an antigen remains about
the same overall, the antibodies become less able to attach to the antigen. This change
may partly explain why pneumonia, influenza, and tetanus are more common among
older people and result in death more often. These changes may also partly explain
why vaccines are less effective in older people and thus why it is important for older
people to get booster shots (which are available for some vaccines).
These changes in immune function may contribute to the greater susceptibility of older
people to some infections and cancers.
But fear not -- at least not much.
“Compared to many other bodily functions, most people’s immune systems actually
do really great at any age,” Glatt says. Most of our immune systems work well
enough that our risk for infection and illness isn’t much higher than normal.
Don’t respond as well to vaccines: Your immune system includes T cells, which attack
other, illness-causing cells. They’re able to “remember” an invader, then defend against it
better later. When you’re older, you make fewer T cells, and most vaccines require new
ones to work.
Are more likely to get sick: Not only do you have fewer immune cells as you age, the ones
you do have don’t communicate with each other as well. That means they take longer to react
to harmful germs.
Recover from injuries, infection, and illness more slowly: Your body produces fewer
immune cells, including white blood cells
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References
. Holt PG. 2004. The Role Of Genetic And Environmental Factors In The
Development Of T-Cell Mediated Allergic Disease In Early Life. Paediatr. Respir.
Rev. 5, S27–S30.
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