Immune system
A system (including the thymus and bone marrow and lymphoid tissues) that protects the body from foreign substances and pathogenic organisms by producing the immune response
The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body against infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It is responsible for identifying and eliminating foreign substances that enter the body and preventing their proliferation.
The cells of the immune system include white blood cells, such as T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Each of these cells carries out a specific function in the immune response. For example, T cells play a critical role in recognizing and attacking infected cells, while B cells produce antibodies that can neutralize pathogens directly or help to flag them for destruction by other cells.
The immune system can be divided into two main branches: the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system. The innate immune system is the first line of defense and provides a non-specific response to any challenge. It includes physical barriers such as the skin and mucous membranes, as well as immune cells such as macrophages and NK cells. In contrast, the adaptive immune system is highly specific to particular pathogens and involves the recognition of antigens by T and B cells.
A healthy immune system relies on a balance between its different components, and disturbances in this balance can result in a range of disorders. For example, autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells and tissues, while immunodeficiency disorders such as HIV lead to a weakened immune system and increased susceptibility to infections.
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