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

What is the time complexity of a convolution, 1. What is the time complexit...

1. What is the time complexity of a convolution with an n by n sized kernel when using a direct convolution with a 2d mask, and when using a separable kernel. Each of the answers i

Oxidising substances , Oxidising Substances : It includes oxidising substa...

Oxidising Substances : It includes oxidising substances and the organic peroxides. Oxidising substances are by themselves not combustible but by feeding oxygen to other substances

Explain the procedure of rock formation metamorphic rocks, Explain the proc...

Explain the procedure of Rock Formation Metamorphic Rocks? Concept 1 :   What is a metamorphic rock? First off, what does metamorphism mean? To morph is to change; a butterfly

Assign wk3, Briefly explain why it is important to reinforce alternatives t...

Briefly explain why it is important to reinforce alternatives to problem behavior when using a punishment procedure. Give one example of the use of both a punishment procedure

Electrodes, working of calomel electrode

working of calomel electrode

Sociology., #qDescribe the factors which decide the broad area of Scientifi...

#qDescribe the factors which decide the broad area of Scientific activityuestion..

Determine in brief about the soil texture, Determine in brief about the soi...

Determine in brief about the soil texture The texture is generally determined by the relative proportions of sand, silt and clay.  If various size fractions of the particles co

Define the ear canal, Define the Ear Canal The other part of the outer ...

Define the Ear Canal The other part of the outer ear is the ear canal. The ear canal, which conveys the sound to the eardrum, is a rather tortuous canal. It is lined with skin,

Show the steps needed to derive the recursive formula, Consider the followi...

Consider the following differential equation: t 2 x''+ 5 t x' + (3 + 2 t) x = 0 a. Show the steps needed to derive the recursive formula for the coefficients of the pow

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