Immune System the Functions of the Immune

Immune System

The functions of the immune system have been discussed in detail by the preceding paper. It also puts light on the functions of the complement system and various cells of the immune system. Apart from that, it also analyzes the impact of Type 1 Diabetes mellitus on the functioning of the immune system.

The immune system can be defined as a complex network of a number of tissues, organs and cells that work in an integrated manner in order protect the body from the attacks of foreign invaders. These invaders generally include the pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, worms and fungi etcetera and the microbes. ("Understanding the," 2003) The functions of the immune system can be classified as non-specific or general and specific. The non-specific functions of the immune system include the barriers to entry, discharge of protective proteins, phagocytes, use of natural killer cells and the inflammatory reaction of the body. The specific response, on the other hand, includes the use of B cells and T cells. ("Immune system," 2011)

Immunity or immune system responses are also divided into two categories. These categories are determined by the speed and the degree of specificity of the response. These responses are classified as the innate response and the adaptive response. (Parkin & Cohen, 2001)

The Innate Response

The innate response provides the body with immediate defense. This kind of response is present even in the simplest kinds of animals. This kind of response is highly conserved in nature and is very important for survival. Two important components of this kind of response are the complement system and the Macrophages. (Parkin & Cohen, 2001)

The Complement System: This system consists of twenty five proteins that work in combination with each other and complement and assist the antibodies in destroying the bacteria. It also helps the body to get rid of the antigens that are coated with antibodies, also called the 'antigen-antibody complexes'. Sometimes the complement proteins make the blood vessels dilated and leaky and this causes redness, swelling and pain, this response is known as the inflammatory response. ("Immune system," 2011)

Macrophages: A number of roles are being played by Macrophages. They help the body in getting rid of the worn out cells. They present the bits of invading antigens in a way that it triggers the response of the B. lymphocytes. In addition to that, they also generate strong chemical signals, also called monokines, which are essential for the functioning and response of the immune system. ("Immune system," 2011)

The Adaptive Response

In this category of response, specific cells are used to get rid of specific antigens. These include the following; ("Immune system," 2011)

B Lymphocytes: The basic function of the B. Lymphocytes is to secret fluids known as antibodies. Whenever a B cell confronts a response triggering antigen, it produces large cells known as Plasma cells. Plasma cells are considered as the factories for the production of anti-bodies. Each of the Plasma cells generates a large number of anti-bodies which are disseminated in the blood stream in order to protect the body from the given antigens. ("Immune system," 2011)

Helper T Cells or Th Cells: These are responsible for the coordination of the immune responses. They coordinate these responses by communicating with various cells. Some of these trigger B cells to produce anti-bodies, while others generate response from the phagocytes. Some of the helper T cells also activate the other T cells. ("Immune system," 2011)

Killer T cells: These are also known as the 'Cytotoxic T. Lymphocytes or CTLs'. These cells directly attack the foreign bodies that are abnormal in nature. These cells are very useful in attacking viruses because viruses have the ability to hide from other parts of the immune system and grow in the infected cells. CTLs can detect small fragments of the viruses that peek out of the cell membrane and then they launch an attack to kill these viruses. ("Immune system," 2011)