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Here, the immune system adapts its response during an infection to improve its recognition of the pathogen. This improved response is then retained after the pathogen has been eliminated, in the form of an immunological memory, and allows the adaptive immune system to mount faster and stronger attacks each time this pathogen is encountered. [4] [5]
Some invertebrates, including various insects, crabs, and worms utilize a modified form of the complement response known as the prophenoloxidase (proPO) system. [34] Antimicrobial peptides are an evolutionarily conserved component of the innate immune response found among all classes of life and represent the main form of invertebrate systemic ...
An immune response is a physiological reaction which occurs within an organism in the context of inflammation for the purpose of defending against exogenous factors. These include a wide variety of different toxins, viruses, intra- and extracellular bacteria, protozoa, helminths, and fungi which could cause serious problems to the health of the host organism if not cleared from the body.
Macrophages, also known as monocytes, will phagocytize a wide range of molecules. Dendritic cells are tree-like cells that bind antigens and alert the lymphocytes of infection, essentially directing T cells to make an immune response. Complement proteins are proteins that play a role in the non-specific immune responses alongside these non ...
A representation of the cholera epidemic of the 19th century. For thousands of years mankind has been intrigued with the causes of disease and the concept of immunity. The prehistoric view was that disease was caused by supernatural forces, and that illness was a form of theurgic punishment for "bad deeds" or "evil thoughts" visited upon the soul by the gods or by one's enemies. [8]
In immunology, autoimmunity is the system of immune responses of an organism against its own healthy cells, tissues and other normal body constituents. [1] [2] Any disease resulting from this type of immune response is termed an "autoimmune disease".
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In immunology, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is an inflammatory state affecting the whole body. [1] It is the body's response to an infectious or noninfectious insult . Although the definition of SIRS refers to it as an "inflammatory" response, it actually has pro- and anti-inflammatory components.