Chapter 31
Assessment of Immune
Function
,The Immune System
Immunity: the body’s specific protective response to
a foreign agent or organism; resistance to a disease,
specifically infectious disease
Immunopathology: the study of diseases that result
from dysfunction within the immune system
Components of the immune system
o Bone marrow: T cells and B cells
o Lymphoid tissue: spleen and lymph nodes
https://bmet.ewh.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12091/408/Human%20
Physiology-Ch9-Immune%20System.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://bpac.org.nz/Supplement/2008/May/complete-blood-count.aspx
left shift
Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer · All Rights Reserved
,Function of the Immune System
To remove foreign antigens such as viruses and
bacteria to maintain homeostasis
Phagocytosis: monocytes responsible for engulfing
and destroying foreign bodies and toxins
Inflammatory response:
o Response to injury or invading organisms
o Chemical mediators minimize blood loss, wall off
invading organisms, activate phagocytes,
promote formation of scar tissue and
regeneration of injured tissue
Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer · All Rights Reserved
, Immunity
Natural immunity: nonspecific response to any foreign
invader
o White blood cell action: release cell mediators such
as histamine, bradykinin, and prostaglandins and
engulf (phagocytize) foreign substances
o Inflammatory response
o Physical barriers, such as intact skin, chemical
barriers, and acidic gastric secretions or enzymes in
tars and saliva
Acquired immunity: specific against a foreign antigen
o Result of prior exposure to an antigen
o Active or passive
Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer · All Rights Reserved
Assessment of Immune
Function
,The Immune System
Immunity: the body’s specific protective response to
a foreign agent or organism; resistance to a disease,
specifically infectious disease
Immunopathology: the study of diseases that result
from dysfunction within the immune system
Components of the immune system
o Bone marrow: T cells and B cells
o Lymphoid tissue: spleen and lymph nodes
https://bmet.ewh.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12091/408/Human%20
Physiology-Ch9-Immune%20System.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://bpac.org.nz/Supplement/2008/May/complete-blood-count.aspx
left shift
Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer · All Rights Reserved
,Function of the Immune System
To remove foreign antigens such as viruses and
bacteria to maintain homeostasis
Phagocytosis: monocytes responsible for engulfing
and destroying foreign bodies and toxins
Inflammatory response:
o Response to injury or invading organisms
o Chemical mediators minimize blood loss, wall off
invading organisms, activate phagocytes,
promote formation of scar tissue and
regeneration of injured tissue
Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer · All Rights Reserved
, Immunity
Natural immunity: nonspecific response to any foreign
invader
o White blood cell action: release cell mediators such
as histamine, bradykinin, and prostaglandins and
engulf (phagocytize) foreign substances
o Inflammatory response
o Physical barriers, such as intact skin, chemical
barriers, and acidic gastric secretions or enzymes in
tars and saliva
Acquired immunity: specific against a foreign antigen
o Result of prior exposure to an antigen
o Active or passive
Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer · All Rights Reserved
