the immune system

• the immune system invovles...

  white blood cells
• the white blood cells do what 3 things

  • phagocytosis
  • produce antioxins
  • produce antibodies
• how does phagocytosis work?

  1. the white blood cells detect chemicals released from the pathogen and move towards it
  2. the white blood cell ingests the pathogen
  3. the white blood cell uses enzymes to destroy the pathogen
• the immune system

  • destroys pathogens and the toxins they produce
  • protects us in case the same type of pathogen invades us again in the future
• what are antibodies?


  protein molecules
• 2 features of antibodies

  • they are extremely specific
  • they remain in the blood for a long time
• how do anti bodies work?

  they stick to the pathogen, triggering it to be destroyed
• how do antitoxins work?

  they stick to toxins preventing them from damaging cells