What is the most important part of the immune system?
White blood cells - these are so important because they move around the entire body patrolling for pathogens.
Each cell has antigens on it's surface. Each antigen is unique to the cell type that it is found on. White blood cells have _________ in their membrane which helps them to identify antigens on pathogens.
Receptors
In a healthy person White blood cells recognise antigens on pathogens as non-self (foreign) and antigens on normal body cells as self. When they come across _______ antigens the immune system is triggered to destroy any invading pathogens.
Non self ( or foreign)
What is a phagocyte ?
A phagocyte is a non - specific white blood cell which engulfs and digests pathogens . A phagocyte detects a pathogen then the phagocyte binds to the pathogen.
What is phagocytosis?
Phagocytosis is when a white blood cell engulfs non - specific cells and digests them.
Draw a diagram of phagocytosis ? ( when white blood cells consume foreign cells)