BIO 3124 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Complement System, Humoral Immunity, White Blood Cell
Document Summary
Characteristics of the two systems: innate vs. acquired. All the mechanisms used by the human body to protect itself against foreign invaders (antigens) Nb: doesn"t distinguish between helpful and harmful invaders. Protects the individual, but will kill the individual if protection is not possible in order to protect the species. 1st line: the barriers: innate system, active at all times, goal: prevent entry. 2nd line: phagocytic system: innate system, prevents propagation, destroys foreign entity, does just as much harm to you as it does to the foreign entity, recruits and activist the 3rd line of defence. Will be able to act faster next time and can prevent future invasions. Delayed - has to determine whether or not it"s foreign and how to attack. Not speci c to the antigen - will always act the same way. Prevent entry inside the body - the interior is sterile unless there is an infection.
