Immune System Fundamentals: Parts & How it Works

Last updated:April 5, 2025

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The Immune System and Tips to Keep it Healthy

Learn the importance of a healthy immune system and ways to keep your immune system healthy

What is the Immune System?

The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from infection.

The immune system is made up of two main parts: innate immunity and adaptive immunity.

Innate immunity

Innate immunity is the body’s first line of defense against infection. It includes things like the skin, the stomach acid, and white blood cells called neutrophils.

Adaptive immunity

Adaptive immunity is the body’s second line of defense against infection. It includes things like antibodies and white blood cells called lymphocytes.

Parts of the Immune System

White blood cells

White blood cells are the cells that make up the immune system. There are many different types of white blood cells, each with a specific function.

Antibodies

Antibodies are proteins that help the immune system fight infection. Antibodies attach to specific molecules on the surface of bacteria and viruses, which helps the immune system to destroy them.

The lymphatic system

The lymphatic system is a network of vessels that carry lymph, a fluid that contains white blood cells. The lymphatic system helps to remove toxins and waste products from the body, and it also helps to fight infection.

How the Immune System Fights Infection

When the body is infected, the immune system goes into action. The first step is to identify the infection. This is done by white blood cells called macrophages, which engulf and destroy bacteria and viruses.

Once the infection has been identified, the immune system starts to produce antibodies. Antibodies attach to specific molecules on the surface of bacteria and viruses, which helps the immune system to destroy them.

The immune system also produces other proteins that help to fight infection. These proteins include cytokines, which signal to other white blood cells to come to the area of infection, and interferons, which help to protect cells from infection.

Immunity and Vaccines

Vaccines are a way to train the immune system to fight infection. Vaccines contain weakened or dead forms of bacteria or viruses. When the body is injected with a vaccine, it produces antibodies to the bacteria or virus. This way, if the body is ever infected with the live bacteria or virus, it will be able to fight it off quickly and easily.

Vaccines are one of the most important tools we have to prevent disease. Vaccines have helped to eradicate smallpox, and they have made a significant impact on the rates of other diseases, such as polio, measles, and rubella.

How to Boost Your Immune System

There are many things you can do to boost your immune system. Some of the best ways to keep your immune system healthy include:

-Getting enough sleep
-Eating a healthy diet
-Exercise regularly
-Manage stress
-Get vaccinated

Conclusion

A healthy immune system is essential for good health. By following the tips in this article, you can help to keep your immune system healthy and strong.