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White Blood Cells & Immunity (Edexcel IGCSE Biology)
Revision Note
White Blood Cells
- 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
- Lymphocytes
Phagocytes
- Phagocytes carry out phagocytosis by ingesting 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
The process of phagocytosis
Lymphocytes
- Lymphocytes produce antibodies
- Antibodies are proteins with a shape that is specific (complementary) to the antigens on the surface of the pathogen
- Lymphocytes provide a specific immune response as the antibodies produced will only fit one type of antigen on a pathogen
The lymphocytes produce antibodies that are specific to the antigen on the pathogen
Immunity
- The body's immune system is highly complex, with white blood cells being the main component
- Once a pathogen has entered the body the role of the immune system is to prevent the infectious organism from reproducing and to destroy it
- An organism has immunity when they have sufficient levels of antibodies to protect it from a particular disease
- As a result, they do not suffer from the disease or its symptoms
Response to infection
- The stages of infection and the subsequent immune response are as follows:
- The pathogen enters the blood stream and multiplies
- A release of toxins (in the case of bacteria) and infection of body cells causes symptoms in the patient
- Phagocytes that encounter the pathogen recognise that it is an invading pathogen and engulf and digest (non-specific response)
- Eventually, the pathogen encounters a lymphocyte which recognises its antigens
- The lymphocyte starts to produce specific antibodies to combat that particular pathogen
- The lymphocyte also clones itself to produce lots of lymphocytes (all producing the specific antibody required)
- Antibodies destroy pathogens
- Phagocytes engulf and digest the destroyed pathogens
Examiner Tip
Make sure you know the difference between antigen and antibody:
- An antigen is a molecule found on the surface of a cell
- An antibody is a protein made by lymphocytes that is complementary to an antigen and, when attached, clumps them together and signals the cells they are on for destruction
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