HMM104- Final Exam Guide - Comprehensive Notes for the exam ( 66 pages long!)
Document Summary
The study of how our bodies respond to foreign agents pathogens. The immune system has evolved to protect us from pathogens. It has innate and adaptive cellular mechanisms to fight disease. Diseases of this system lead to immunodeficiency, hypersensitivity and autoimmunity. Lecture 2: cells of blood and immune system. Blood is a liquid tissue which consists of: 5 major kinds of white blood cells (leucocytes) Transport through the body of gases, food molecules, ions, wastes, hormones and heat: defense of the body against infections, injury and cancer. If a blood sample is spun in a centrifuge the red cells (erythrocytes) settle to the bottom. Other cell components (platelets, leucocytes) sit on top of this which is called the buffy coat. Blood smear: a blood sample can also be smeared on a glass slide and cells stained with dyes to aid in visualization. A blood sample can also be analyzed to detect other components (hormones, metabolites, proteins).
