Fighting Diseases

• phagocytosis

  • wbc cause pathogens to clump together
  • phagocytes engulf them
  • enzymes added to digest pathogen and kill it
• lymphocytes

  • antigens present on surface of pathogen
  • lymphocytes produce antibodies
  • specific antibodies attach to specific antigens digesting and killing it
  • if occurs again memory lymphocytes produce antibodies quicker
• vaccine

  • small amount of dead inactive pathogen inserted into body
  • antigens stimulate wbc making antibodies
  • antibodies stick to antigens causing them to clump together
  • another wbc digests and kills pathogen
  • memory cells retained and immune system response will be quicker