Non-Specific Immune Response
- White blood cells are part of the body’s immune system
- These specialised cells defend against pathogenic microorganisms
- There are two main types of white blood cell:
- Phagocytes - carry out phagocytosis
- Lymphocytes - produce antibodies and antitoxins
Phagocytes
- Phagocytes carry out phagocytosis by engulfing and digesting pathogens
- Phagocytes have a sensitive cell surface membrane that can detect chemicals produced by pathogenic cells
- Once they encounter the pathogenic cell, they will engulf it and release digestive enzymes to digest it
- This is a non-specific immune response as the response is the same for any pathogenic cell
- Phagocytes can be easily recognised under the microscope by their multi-lobed nucleus and their granular cytoplasm
The process of phagocytosis