Immune System: Secondary Immune Sites

Locations where immune responses occur. These include primary and secondary sites.

The spleen filters blood, removing debris and dead cells, particularly red blood cells.

Collection points for immune cells, connected by lymph vessels.

Clear liquid derived from blood, but without red blood cells.

Part of the immune system checking food for pathogens.

Part of the immune system checking air for pathogens.

Clusters of immune cells in the gut.

Part of the immune system present from birth and ready to identify pathogens immediately.

The immune system that improves with repeated exposures to pathogens, recognizing specific pathogens.

Specialized receptors on innate immune cells that recognize bacterial components.

Immune cells with granules containing toxins and signals for other immune cells.

Components of bacteria recognized by the immune system.

A type of white blood cell that is the most common and is responsible for engulfing and destroying bacteria through phagocytosis.

The process of engulfing and digesting foreign particles, such as bacteria, by immune cells.

Small sacs within a cell that contain chemicals or enzymes used for immune defense.

A group of genes that determine the body's immune response and tissue compatibility.

White blood cells primarily involved in fighting parasitic infections by releasing chemicals.

A type of white blood cell that releases histamine, causing vasodilation, which helps bring more immune cells to the site of infection.

A chemical released by basophils that causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow.

A severe allergic reaction caused by a massive release of histamine, leading to a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

Locations in the body where immune cells gather and can encounter pathogens. Examples include the spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, adenoids, and Peyer's patches.

Collection points for immune cells, connected by lymph vessels, which are like tiny tubes carrying clear liquid.

Clear liquid derived from blood, but without red blood cells. It travels through lymph vessels.

Check food and air for pathogens, respectively, acting as the first line of defense in the mouth and nose.

Clusters of immune cells in the gut, responsible for checking the food we eat for pathogens.

Patterns associated with pathogens, recognized by the innate immune system. They signal danger to immune cells.

They fight infections by engulfing foreign particles (phagocytosis) and releasing toxins and signals to other immune cells.

Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell. They engulf and destroy bacteria through a process called phagocytosis, using their granules to release chemicals and enzymes that kill bacteria.

Granules are small sacs within immune cells that contain toxins and signaling molecules. They help fight off pathogens by releasing their contents to kill or alert other immune cells.

Eosinophils are white blood cells that specialize in fighting parasites. They release chemicals to kill parasites that are too large for phagocytosis.

Basophils release histamine, a chemical that causes blood vessels to widen (vasodilation). This increases blood flow to the area, bringing more immune cells to fight infection.

The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is a group of genes that determines your unique immune system. It influences how your body reacts to pathogens and determines tissue compatibility.

Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is a hormone released by the body in stress situations. It helps counter the effects of anaphylactic shock by constricting blood vessels and increasing heart rate.