Animal Form and Function: Immune System

In this video I go over the mainstream theory of the immune system, which is a network of biological processes that detects and responds pathogens entering an organism. Nearly all organisms have some sort of immune system, while jawed vertebrates (including humans) have sophisticated defense mechanisms and the ability to adapt to recognize previously encountered pathogens. The innate immune system is a rapid and broad defense mechanism, which includes phagocytosis to engulf large foreign particles. The adaptive immune system involves specialized white blood cells (killer cells and T / B lymphocytes) which can recognize unique molecules on pathogens (called antigens) via Y-shaped proteins called antibodies. This immunological memory is the basis of vaccination. YouTube - Summary - Notes - Playlist

#science #biology #ImmuneSystem #animals #vaccine