Introduction
The human body is the perfect environment for the millions of microorganisms
with which we share this planet to enter into, feed off of, multiply, and
live happily in until we die. The immune system is the human body's defense
against these "foreign invaders", such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
It is a fine-tuned machine consisting of cells and organs designed to keep
you healthy. It is an intricate system that involves dynamic interactions
between the body's immune cells. Occasionally, it will require help from an
outside source called an antibiotic. There is much to learn about how the
body defends itself against these enemies and what happens when it doesn't!
Your Task
These are the three areas to be covered as you research the immune system.
Using the resources provided and any others you find, research following
areas:
1. Investigate the body's initial defense system against invading
microorganisms. Once this defense is breached, investigate how the organs of
the immune system respond to the invader. Gather information on each organ
and what role they play in your immune system. Be prepared to provide this
information to your group. As a guide for your research, you should be able
to answer the following questions:
A.What is the first line of defense in protecting your body from an attack
by a microorganism? How does your body defend itself when it is invaded by
much an organism?
B.What is any foreign substance that triggers an immune response in the
human body known as?
C. Identify the eight organs of the immune system. What are they generally
referred to as and why?
D.What organ is responsible for producing the immune cells in your body? How
are these cells carried throughout your body?
2 Investigate the cells of the immune system. Gather information on how they
function in an immune response to a "foreign invader". Answer the following
questions:
A. What role do these cells play in protecting your body now and from any
future attacks by the same organisms?
B. What are the main immune cells in the body called and what are the two
major types?
C. What cells are responsible for producing antibodies? What role does an
antibody play in an immune response?
D. How are the two major types of immune cells able to recognize and fight
off invading microorganisms?
E. How do we gain immunity from future infections?
3. Investigate some of the disorders of the immune system. Name three major
immune system disorders and describe them and how they effect your body's
ability to fight off infection. Answer the following questions:
A. How does each of the three disorders you have chosen effect the immune
system? Where do they originate?
B. What are some ways to treat these disorders? What are some diseases that
may develop due to an immune system disorder?
Here are some useful websites to use in gathering information
http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/immuneSystem/
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/3468/immune-system.html
http://newscenter.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understandingcancer/immunesystem
VIRTUAL LAB!!
Laboratory illustrating the immune system response to AIDS and how tReat
response can be used to test for infections.
http://WWW.BIOLOGY.ARIZONA.EDU/IMMUNOLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY.HTML
Other Resources