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The Immune System
The purpose of the
immune
system is to keep infectious microorganisms, such as certain
bacteria, viruses, and fungi, out of the body, and to
destroy any infectious microorganisms that do invade the
body.
The immune system is made up of a complex and vital
network of cells and organs that protect the body from
infection.
What the
Immune System Does?
The most obvious parts of the
immune system are the barriers we can easily see like our
skin, eyes, nose, and mouth. Skin is tough and resistant to
bacteria and secretes antibacterial substances. Tears and
mucus contain an enzyme that breaks down the cell walls of
many bacteria.
Saliva is also anti-bacterial. And if any
microbes make it past the saliva, the acids in the stomach
are the next level of protection.
Most bacteria and viruses do
not get through the body's first line of defenses. But some
do, and once inside the body, the
immune system deals with
germs and microbes on a different level - the level of
attack and conquer.
For most people, viral and bacterial infections are the most
common causes of illness. These usually run their course
until the body builds up immunity to those particular
microbes and recovers.
But most people are most concerned
with the internal workings of the immune system.
How the immune system protects the body?By
creating a barrier that prevents bacteria and viruses from
entering your body. By detecting and
eliminating those bacteria or viruses that manage to get
into the body, before they have a chance to reproduce and
proliferate. Eliminating those viruses
or bacteria that have managed to reproduce in sufficient
numbers to start causing problems. Finding cancerous (or other
unwanted cells) and eliminating them. |
