Immune system

• Phagocytosis - the process by which a white blood cell engulfs and digests a foreign particle
• Lymphocytes - white blood cells which produce antibodies or antitoxins
• Producing antibodies:

  • white blood cell produces antibodies which are complementary to the antigen on the pathogen
  • antibodies start to bind to the antigen, which causes the pathogens to clump together
  • this allows the white blood cell to find them easier
  • after this memory cells are made
  • so if the individual is infected with the same pathogen again, white blood cells can quickly produce lots of antibodies
• Producing antitoxins:

  • they neutralise the toxins released by the pathogen by binding to them
  • these toxins damage our cells