The human immune system is a collection of cells, tissues and organs that are responsible for providing protection against foreign microorganisms and substances, as well as their own cells, whose genetic program has been disrupted (for example, tumor cells). In the event that any damage or malfunction occurs in this system, this leads to the death of the whole organism.
The components of the human immune system
To date, the human immune system appears as a combination of the following organs, tissues and cells:
- Central lymphoid organs (lymphoid formations of the appendix, lymphoid formations of the colon, embryonic liver, bone marrow and thymus gland).
- Peripheral lymphoid organs (spleen and lymph nodes).
- Immunocompetent cells (monocytes, lymphocytes, polynuclear leukocytes, Langerhans cells and others).
Moreover, for the normal functioning of the immune system, all these cells, tissues and organs are important . Organ systems (digestive, genitourinary and others) are quite dependent on the level of immunity. In that case, if it decreases, then the risk of developing certain infectious diseases, as well as the occurrence of both benign and malignant tumors, increases by an order of magnitude. Consequently, the body’s immune system plays a huge role in its normal functioning.
How does the human immune system work?
The immune response to the introduction of the microorganism is carried out due to such cells as white blood cells. They come in several varieties: neutrophils (stab, segmented, basophils and eosinophils), monocytes and lymphocytes (B-lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes and NK-lymphocytes). It is neutrophils that are the first to reach the site of infection and begin to destroy foreign microorganisms. At the same time, they cope better with bacteria. If viruses enter the body, then lymphocytes are much more effective against them.
In addition to the fact that the human immune system is able to suppress most known microorganisms, it can still “remember” many of them and, in case of repeated infection, they can cope with trouble much faster (and with less loss for the body itself).
It is worth noting that the immune system, being very useful, is also able to exert negative effects on human life. This is most pronounced after organ transplantation. The fact is that due to the fact that the immune system perceives the tissues of the donor organ as foreign, a rejection reaction often occurs. As a result, people have to conduct complex research and wait for years for a suitable donor. In addition, sometimes the woman’s immune system suppresses the man’s sperm, as, again, he begins to consider them alien and dangerous to the body. As a result, the so-called immunological incompatibility of partners is observed . In order for such a couple to be able to have their own children, a woman has to take immunosuppressive drugs. In the event that the mother has a Rhesus factor of blood is negative, and the fetus is positive, then during the first pregnancy it can be immunized. As a result, the next child, if he also turns out to be a carrier of a positive Rhesus factor, can undergo a real attack from the immune system of his mother, which leads to the development of quite serious conditions that threaten both the fetus and the woman herself.