SCIENCE in your LIFE
The Amazing Human Shield!
By B.L.
Achoo! In a single sneeze there can be up to two hundred million germ particles. The body’s shield against germs, like those from a sneeze, is the immune system. The human body is exposed to germs year-round, so why are people not constantly sick? The human immune system works all throughout the body fighting off germs to keep the body up and running. The immune system functions through two parts innate and acquired immunity.
The innate immune system. The innate immune system is something that the body is born with. This system includes things like your skin, and mucous membranes like those found in the nose which act as the first line of defense in the fight against germs. These two can be viewed as the wall around the castle in the sense they keep the bad guys out. However, if something manages to slip by this wall the body has specialized cells that help to fight off infection. These cells are called phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells. Phagocytes eat the germs. NK cells poke holes in germ which cause the germ to die.
The acquired immune system. The acquired immune system is more complex. This part of the immune system is developed over time, and must have an encounter with a germ before it can fight it. The acquired immune system is specific to each germ it encounters, and develops memories to help it fight off future infections of the same type. The acquired immune system has special cells called memory cells that allows it to recognize germs after one encounter with it.
The immune system acts as the wall and guards of our bodies, so it is important to keep it healthy. Maintaining a healthy life-style will help maintain a healthy immune system: eat a heathy diet and exercise can help keep you heathy which in turn keeps the immune system healthy Along with a healthy life style, getting vaccinated will help to boost the acquired immune system by allowing exposure to different germs.
Please send any questions or comments to Dr. Spitzer (spitzern@marshall.edu )
Note: Any opinions expressed in these articles are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent those of Dr. Spitzer, the Department of Biological Sciences, or Marshall University.