# data[].attributes.body
There is one guardian that saves everyone's lives every single day. That hero is the  Immune System and it keeps individuals safe from different pathogens and harmful microbes that may end up destroying, corrupting, and harming the human body. The Immune System uses different methods with cooperative organs and structures that work hand-in-hand in order to protect the bodily tissues and structures from being attacked by the dangerous pathogens.

# data[].attributes.body
1. The Immune System has a main objective of protecting the organism from harmful pathogens that may endanger it. The organism is protected by various processes that ensure the destruction of these harmful pathogens.

2. The human Immune System is divided into two main subsystems, the Innate or Primary Immune System [Non-specific] and the Adaptive Immune System [Specific].

# data[].attributes.body
The Immune System moves to protect the body from any invading particles daily. The organ system does so through the use of many different processes

# data[].attributes.body
We now move onto the various parts that the immune system is comprised of.

# data[].attributes.body
The innate immune system is a system bestowed unto a fetus from the day we were born.  This immune system is the first and second line of defense that protects one's body from all forms of pathogens using various physical barriers.

# data[].attributes.body
The skin and mucous membranes act as shields and barriers for pathogens.  The skin acts as one’s wall such that a pathogen can’t enter into their body.  For the areas where skin cells aren’t present such as the nose, mouth and eyes the mucous membranes are there to stop the pathogens from entering any deeper into the body.  Mucous membranes protect the body in two ways, the first of which is through its structure, these membranes are made up of epithelial tissue which stops pathogens from entering further.  The second is through the secretion of mucus, this mucus prevents movement between the pathogens, keeps its surroundings moist and has instituted antibiotics called defisins which fight the pathogens.

# data[].attributes.body
Assists with inflammatory responses and allergic reactions.  A mast cell is the second line of defense when the skin cell and mucous membranes fail to keep out pathogens.  The mast cell releases histamine which causes blood cells to dilate or widen, this widening allows various white blood cells to combat the entering pathogen.

# data[].attributes.body
The Phagocytes is one type of white blood cell that comes when Mast cells release histamine.  These phagocytes are split into two types of cells, one being the Neutrophils and the other being the Macrophages.  Both types consume pathogens but their difference is that Neutrophils generally self-destruct after consumption much like a bee after stinging but macrophages can continuously consume pathogens.  After consumption these macrophages they process the pathogen and the information will be used in order to help out the Adaptive immune system

# data[].attributes.body
The complement system is one of our body's most unique defense mechanisms.  Unlike most defenses that our body possesses the complement system isn’t made up of cells but rather proteins, complement is an army of over 30 different proteins that work together in a complex and elegant dance to fight off intruders.  But how do mindless proteins protect our body from invaders? Well it does this in three ways, first complement immobilizes viruses and bacteria, second, complement calls and guides reinforcements and third it acts to destroy the pathogen itself.

These proteins are seemingly passive and don’t do much other than mindlessly floating in the midst of our bodies as do other mindless substances, that is until they are activated and change their shape.  Complement proteins when activated can do serious harm to pathogens and the proteins activate each other much like a burning match lighting up other matches. This chain starts with the c3 protein, this protein is activated randomly, through other complement proteins or through antibodies.  When activated the protein splits into two, c3a and c3b.  c3b seeks nearby viruses or bacteria and attaches onto them, when attached it changes its shape, in its new shape it is now able to grab onto other nearby proteins, activate those proteins and it adds other proteins on top of itself forming a small cascade. Finally it transforms itself into a recruiting platform known as c3 convertase, this platform activates other c3 proteins and starts the cycle anew.  When thousands of proteins cover the pathogen it gets immensely crippled and becomes helpless.

Now we look at the other part of c3, the c3a protein.  C3a acts as a distress beacon or a flare of sorts, thousands of these tiny proteins flee from the site of battle and find passive immune cells such as phagocytes and lead these cells directly towards the battle.  The more alarm c3a  proteins that these immune cells encounter the more aggressive they become.  Through this complement guides these cells towards exactly where they need to be.

The last way of the complement system defending us is through directly attacking the pathogen. Soon a new cascade will begin in the c3 convertase, the recruitment platform changes shape again and begins to recruit other proteins to create what's called a “Membrane attack complex”.  Piece by piece new proteins shaped like spears begin to pierce the membrane of the pathogen until a hole is ripped, fluids rush out of the bacteria because of dispersion and the pathogen “bleeds out”.

# data[].attributes.body
Adaptive immunity as the name suggests is how our body adapts to the countless threats that we experience each and every day by pathogens.  Unlike innate immunity adaptive immunity isn’t given to us by birth, the longer we live the more pathogens we can recognize and the more our leukocytes can adapt.

# data[].attributes.body
A B lymphocyte like any white blood cell is made in our bone marrow but unlike other white blood cells they also mature in our bone marrow too, as they mature they develop immunocompetence, or how to recognise and bind to a specific antigen as well as self tolerance, not attacking your own cells.  Each B lymphocyte has its own unique antibodies each of which is ready to combine to a specific antigen.  When the right B cell interacts with a pathogen with the right antigen it binds to this pathogen and activates.  Once activated the B cell replicates itself by a drastic amount, all cells replicated are similar in the sense that they have the exact same antibody designed to fight off the specific antigen.  Most of these cells become combat cells or effector cells that fight off the pathogen, while others become memory cells. These effector B cells rapidly fire out antibodies to the pathogens which don’t necessarily kill them but inhibit their movement, neutralizes the pathogen, as well as calling phagocytes from the innate immune system and special lymphocytes from the adaptive immune system.

# data[].attributes.body
Helper T cells raise the alarm that tells the other immune cells that there is a problem.   They do this through the use of cytokines, when a cytokine enters a different helper T, that cell divides making memory T cells as well as effector T cells which release more cytokines which spreads the message further.  The cytokines also finish the training of the B Lymphocytes, the B lymphocyte can attach to either a pathogen or your own healthy proteins due to antibody receptors generating randomly.  If the B cell interacts with, say , a bacteria, a helper T would come along, bind to what the B cell processed, release cytokines and fully activate the B cell so that it can divide and produce more and more antibodies for the specific bacteria. If the B cell takes in say a growth hormone then no cytokines will be released and there would be no immune response.  This is important so that we don’t inflict self damage towards our own healthy proteins.

# data[].attributes.body
These cells roam around our blood and lymph finding cells that are infected.  These corrupted cells are already dying so they digested some of their captors proteins and stuck them on their outwards MHC. MHC’s are proteins on the outside of the cell that are synthesized within the cell. If the cell is healthy then the standardized MHC’s of that cell would allow it to pass by the cytotoxic T cells without getting harmed. However when the invader’s proteins are fixed to their MHC’s it signals Cytotoxic T cells to effectively kill the infected cell.  When a  Cytotoxic T cell with the right receptor floats by it binds to an antigen MHC combination and goes for a mercy killing.  A special enzyme is released that punches holes in the cells membrane which makes apoptosis occur which kills the cell and whatever is inside of it.

# data[].attributes.body
Memory cells are made when B cells or T cells rapidly divide.  Memory cells are important because they allow our body to remember specific immune responses and if the pathogen appears again in our blood flow, the adaptive immune system can mobilize faster. This is the reason why the vaccine is such a brilliant invention.  Vaccines put in dead or heavily weakened pathogens in our bloodstream, this pathogen is dealt with promptly but with the death of the pathogen comes memory cells.  These memory cells allow the adaptive immune system to know how to fight against the much stronger version of this pathogen if it may appear in one's body.

# data[].attributes.body
High temperatures and swelling are processes designed to aid the immune response, a warmer body inhibits viruses from spreading and dividing since they are temperature sensitive.  When body cells are damaged they release chemicals that make fluid leak into surrounding tissues, which causes swelling.  The fluid calls in phagocytes to engulf the pathogens.

# data[].attributes.body
The Immune System is the body's main line of defense. The organ system works daily in order to protect and shield the body from any foreign particles that may cause harm to it. If the Immune System stops functioning due to any damage or deficiencies, the organism is more prone to illnesses and deficiencies due to the fall of the Immune System. There are three main branches of disorders in the Immune System: immunodeficiencies, autoimmunity, and hypersensitivity.

Immunodeficiency - An immunodeficiency occurs when a part of the Immune System does not function well. These instances can be caused by age, obesity, and alcoholism. Sometimes, immunodeficiencies are also inherited. Malnutrition is a rather common cause of this disorder in developing countries. AIDS, an STD, is an example of an immunodeficiency.

Autoimmunity - This disorder is where the Immune System mistakenly targets healthy cells in the body instead of foreign cells and dysfunctional cells. This is caused by the Immune System's loss of the ability to distinguish the body's own cells from foreign particles. Autoimmune diseases include celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, Grave's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Hypersensitivity - Hypersensitivity is a disorder where the body overreacts to the point where it damages healthy body tissues. An example is anaphylactic shock where the body responds to an allergen so strongly that it can be life-threatening.

# data[].attributes.body
The Immune System is plagued by many disorders that harm it and hinder it from functioning properly. Understanding a few of these disorders will be necessary to combat them and protect the Immune System.

One cause of immunodeficiency is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which evolves into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV is transferred through bodily fluids, usually during unprotected sex and contact with used needles. HIV damages the Immune System by attacking the cells that protect the body from infection. enables HIV to encode its DNA into the helper T cells, which then duplicate to produce more infected cells. The virus destroys many helper T cells while the process is carried out. When HIV continues developing however, numerous helper T cells are already wiped out, leaving unhealthy helper T cells behind, which is a stage known as AIDS. HIV is extremely difficult to cure since the drugs cannot reach the DNA scope of the cells. Some drugs render the HIV virus unable to mature, but the drugs are still unable to strike the virus at its core.
A video is provided below in order to make the discussion for HIV and AIDS clearer.
https://youtu.be/0TipTogQT3E

Autoimmunity can be caused by rheumatoid arthritis where the Immune System produces antibodies that attach to the attach to the linings of joints. Immune System cells then attack the joints, which generally causes inflammation, swelling, and pain. The pain from rheumatoid arthritis decreases as the day goes on with the increase of activity and the usage of how showers. If untreated, rheumatoid arthritis gradually causes permanent joint damage. Treatments for this disease include various oral or injectable medications that reduce Immune System overactivity.
A video is provided below in order to make the discussion for rheumatoid arthritis clearer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBV6dhEUdpc

Hypersensitivity can be caused by anaphylaxis, which is defined as "a severe and rapid systemic allergic reaction to an allergen, causing a constriction of the trachea, preventing breathing; anaphylactic shock," (n.d). Anaphylaxis can be caused by the reaction of the body to any foreign substance. Food, biological agents, temperature, exercise, and external medications are different causes of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is known as a severe allergic reaction that starts suddenly and affects many organ systems negatively. Anaphylaxis stems from the release of inflammatory mediators and cytokines from mast cells and basophils. The release of the mediators is typically associated with an Immune System reaction, but it may also be caused by damage to cells that are not linked to an immune reaction. When anaphylaxis is caused by an immune response, immunoglobulin E (IgE) binds to the foreign material that starts the allergic reaction (the antigen). The combination of IgE bound to the antigen activates FcεRI receptors on mast cells and basophils. The mast cells and basophils react by releasing inflammatory mediators such as histamine. These mediators increase the contraction of bronchial smooth muscles, cause blood vessels to widen (vasodilation), increase the leakage of fluid from the blood vessels, and depress the actions of the heart muscle. There is also an immunologic mechanism that does not rely on IgE, but it is unfortunately unknown if this occurs in humans. When anaphylaxis is not caused by an immune response, the reaction that occurs is due to an agent that directly damages the mast cells and basophils, causing these particles to release histamine and other substances that are usually associated with an allergic reaction (degranulation). Agents that can damage these cells include mediums for X-rays, opioids, temperature (hot or cold), and vibration.
A video is provided below in order to make the discussion for anaphylaxis clearer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L75k2on8Bxw