Introduction about the Immune System

All living organisms are surrounded by millions of bacteria, viruses and other microbes (germs) that may enter our bodies and cause harm. Animals with backbones, called vertebrates, have these types of general protective mechanisms, which have an advanced protective system called the immune system. (www.patient.co.uk)The immune system is a complex network of organs containing cells that recognize foreign substances which are called antigens in the body and kill them. This system protects vertebrates against pathogens, or infectious agents, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other parasites. (Aberystwyth University). Nonliving substances such as toxins chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles (such as a splinter) can also be antigens. The immune system recognizes and destroys them (U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2014).

This video is taken from Segment from the program The Immunological System: Recognition, Attack, and Memory. retrieved on November 28, 2014 from http://www.greatpacificmedia.com/

Where is the immune system found?

Immune system Structure
Retrieved from "Immune system structures: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Image," 2013)

References 

Aberystwyth University. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2014, from An Introduction to the Immune System: http://www.aber.ac.uk/~dcswww/ISYS/immune_system.html

U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2014, 11 5). Retrieved November 8, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000821.htm


www.patient.co.uk. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2014, from http://www.patient.co.uk/health/the-immune-system

Image: Immune system structures: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Image. (2013, September 15). Retrieved November 20, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/8932.htm