Types of Cells
these cells produce highly specific Y-shaped proteins called antibodies to stop pathogens.
B cells
This soft, spongy tissue inside large bones is where all immune cells are made.
bone marrow
These tiny, single-celled organisms do not have a nucleus and can usually be treated with prescription antibiotics.
Bacteria
This large organ serves as the body’s main physical barrier, preventing pathogens from entering underlying tissues.
skin
This immune system problem happens when the body overreacts to harmless substances like pollen or peanuts.
Allergy
These fast-acting first responders are the most common type of white blood cell in the human body and mainly help fight bacterial infections.
neutrophils
This organ in the upper chest is where T cells develop and learn how to tell the difference between the body’s own cells and foreign invaders.
Thymus
These non-living particles are made of genetic material inside a protein coat, and they can only reproduce by taking over a host cell.
Viruses
This sticky substance lines the respiratory and digestive tracts and traps dust, microbes, and other debris before they can reach internal organs.
mucus
This term refers to diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy tissues.
autoimmune disease
These specialized cells connect innate and adaptive immunity by taking in pathogens and displaying pieces of them to T cells.
dendritic cells
These small, bean-shaped structures are found along lymphatic vessels and filter lymph fluid; they often swell when you have an infection.
Lymph Nodes
This diverse group of mostly single-celled eukaryotic organisms does not belong to the plant, animal, or fungal kingdoms.
protists
This chemical defense found in tears, saliva, and sweat helps break down the cell walls of invading bacteria.
lysozyme
In this condition, the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, causing high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes
Unlike cytotoxic T cells, these innate immune cells can kill virus-infected and cancerous cells without needing prior exposure or recognition of a specific antigen.
Natural Killer (NK) cells
Located in the upper left side of the abdomen, this is the largest lymphatic organ. It filters the blood, removes old red blood cells, and stores a reserve of monocytes.
Spleen
This class of infectious agents is made up entirely of misfolded proteins and can cause fatal brain diseases like Mad Cow disease.
prions
This non-specific, local response causes redness, heat, swelling, and pain as white blood cells are sent to an injury site.
inflammation
This severe, life-threatening allergic reaction causes a sudden drop in blood pressure and narrowed airways and requires immediate treatment with epinephrine.(Hint: Starts with an A)
anaphylaxis
These important immune cells have a CD4 protein on their surface and are the main cells targeted by HIV. When they are destroyed, the immune system becomes severely weakened.
Helper T cells
These patches of lymphoid tissue in the small intestine monitor gut bacteria and help prevent infections from spreading throughout the body.
Peyer's patches
Ringworm and athlete’s foot are caused by organisms from this kingdom of spore-producing organisms that grow best in warm, damp environments.
Fungi
These signaling proteins are released by virus-infected cells to warn nearby cells and help stop viruses from replicating.
Interferons
This long-term autoimmune disease happens when the immune system attacks myelin, the protective covering around nerve fibers in the central nervous system.
Multiple Sclerosis