Define specific defence mechanism, Science

Assignment Help:

Define Specific Defence Mechanism

In the section on white blood cells, we learnt that whenever a germ or infection enters our body, the WBCs snap to attention and destroy the culprit. How does a white blood cell know what to attack and what to leave alone? Why doesn't a white blood cell attack every cell in the body? The answer to these questions lies in the discussion below.

The specific defence mechanism provides protection against specific foreign materials. The important characteristic is that its cells (lymphocytes) have an ability to recognize body's own cells and macro molecules (self) from those which are foreign invaders (non self ). It tolerates the 'self' but destroys the 'non self'. The lymphocytes bearing receptor is specific for self i.e. molecules already present in the body, are either made non-functional or destroyed by programmed cell-death known as apoptosis. The lymphocytes that react to non self i.e. foreign molecules are left to function in immune responses.

So, you realize that there is a system built into all of the cells in our body that marks the cells in our body as "self '. Anything that the immune system finds that does not have these markings (or that has the wrong markings) is definitely "not self" and is therefore a fair game. This system is called the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC).


Related Discussions:- Define specific defence mechanism

Is it ethical to use placebo in clinical trial, Question 1 Is it ethical t...

Question 1 Is it ethical to use Placebo in Clinical trial? What is your opinion and what do CIOMS and ICH guidelines say in this regard? Question 2 What is the role of ethics

Emroyology, what is tetrology of fallut? write down the emroyological basis...

what is tetrology of fallut? write down the emroyological basis of this condition?

To surveys a lab for its fire preparedness, TO SURVEYS A LAB FOR ITS FIRE P...

TO SURVEYS A LAB FOR ITS FIRE PREPAREDNESS As said earlier in this activity you are going to survey the labs of the institution where you are working at. Look for the fire safe

Disposal of microbial cultures, DISPOSAL OF MICROBIAL CULTURES: After the ...

DISPOSAL OF MICROBIAL CULTURES: After the study is finished microbial cultures should not be left in the laboratory or taken out of the laboratory alive because availability of th

Zoology, how to prevent skin problems?

how to prevent skin problems?

Determine if flow will choke and downstream and upstream, A nearly horizont...

A nearly horizontal,12 ft wide rectangular channel carries 60cfs at a depth of 3.0ft.The width of the channel is smoothly contracted to 6 ft at the downstream section. (a) Deter

Procedure for disposal op carcass, Procedure 1 . After the dissection e...

Procedure 1 . After the dissection experiment is over the dead animals are put in disposable paper bags and the bag is sealed. Animal tissues and excreta should also be put and

Dew-point temperature, Dew-point temperature You can calculate the dew-...

Dew-point temperature You can calculate the dew-point temperature with a shiny can having some water, a thermometer and some ice. The dew-point temperature is an significant we

Water borne diseases, Water Borne Diseases: Diseases like cholera and t...

Water Borne Diseases: Diseases like cholera and typhoid, as well as diarrhoea and dysentery,  are spread through water. Germs of  these diseases multiply in the gut of  the inf

Water extinguishers, Water extinguishers :  Direct the jet at the base of ...

Water extinguishers :  Direct the jet at the base of the flame and keep it moving across the fire. Attack a fire which is spreading vertically at its lowest point and follow th

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd