The wonders of the human immune system

The wondrous ways of your body to keep you healthy

Your Immune system uses different approaches to prevent foreign elements from attacking your body. There are two main approaches â€" Innate and Acquired immunity. Innate immunity is present in you since birth and it eliminates microbes before it causes damage or infection. In acquired immunity, the immune system memorizes the method of dealing with a microbe and uses it in the future. The human immune system is an intricate network of variouscells, tissues, organs and proteins. Together they work in an incredible way to defend your body against harmful germs and foreign elements.

The defensive cells involved here, are your white blood cells (leukocytes), which are further classified into phagocytes and lymphocytes. These cells are produced and stored in various parts of your body like the spleen, bone marrow, thymus and the lymph nodes. These cells flow throughout your body through blood and lymphatic vessels. Lymphocytes are of two main kinds â€" B-cells and T-cells. When the foreign elements (antigens) invading your body are detected with the help of various cells, they trigger the production of antibodies and enzymes to destroy these antigens.

Here is how the various cells and organs of a human immune system function:

• • Bone Marrow

This is the main production house of various types of cells. Bone marrow synthesizes white blood cells, red blood cells, killer cells, B-cells, T-cells, granulocytes and platelets. Some cells mature in bone marrow, while others mature elsewhere.

• • Thymus

Immature Tymocytes, mature as full-fledged T-cells in thymus. Thymus is extremely vital for a child, as it is responsible for destroying or breaking down their immune system.

• • Spleen

Spleen helps in filtration of the blood while searching for foreign elements. It also replaces old red blood cells with new ones. The spleen consists of B-cells, T-cells, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, macrophages and the red blood cells.

• • Lymph Nodes

The lymph nodes are spread throughout your body like the blood vessels. They act like immunological filters by filtering out the antigens from your body. A swollen lymph node gives you an indication of infection.

• • B-Cells

When antigens are detected, B-cells get stimulated and start promoting millions of antibodies.These antibodies swamp around the foreign elements and kill them.

• • T-Cells

Helper T-cells and killer T-cells detect the germs and attack them, warding off infections. They are found almost everywhere in the body of the human immune system.

• • Natural Killer Cells

Also known as NK cells, they have a specific function to eliminate tumors and infected cells from your body.

• • Macrophages

They are the largest cells, usually found in the lungs and the skin. Their function is to cleanse the body from toxins, bacteria or viruses, which are ingested through polluted atmosphere.

• • Dendritic Cells

Dendritic cells are more efficient in comparison to macrophages, for picking up and presenting the antigens to the lymphoid organs for eradication.

All these various organs and cells work in unison to discard bacterial or viral infections which cause sicknesses such as colds, influenza, cough, mumps, malaria, measles, AIDS, etc.

How does your immune system cover you with an immunity shield?

There are three unique ways in which your immune system works. Initially it creates a barrier to prevent germs from entering your body, secondly if germs do penetrate your body, it tries to detect and eliminate them. Finally if the germs do multiply in your body, it tries to eradicate and curb the infection or disease from spreading it further. It also tries to detect and eliminate tumors or cancerous growths.
The human immune system needs to be strengthened thoroughly if you want it to save you from various ailments.