AllRefer Health - Immune Response: The immune system (Acquired (Adaptive) Immunity, Cellular Immunity, Humoral Immunity, Immunity, Inflammatory Response, Innate Immunity)

AllRefer Channels :: Yellow Pages | Reference | Health

	Diet & Nutrition
	Diseases & Conditions
	Health News
	Injuries & Wounds
	Poisons & Overdoses
	Surgery & Procedures
	Symptoms Guide
	Special Topics
	Tests & Exams
	Pictures & Images
	Medical Encyclopedia

You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Special Topic > Immune Response: The immune system

Immune Response


•	Definition
•	The immune system
•	Innate immunity and inflammation
•	Acquired immunity
•	Passive immunity
•	Immune system disorders and allergies
•	Signs of inflammation
•	Tests
•	Therapies
•	Complications
•	Pictures & Images
•	Go To Main Page

Alternate Names : Acquired (Adaptive) Immunity, Cellular Immunity, Humoral Immunity, Immunity, Inflammatory Response, Innate Immunity

Definition

The immune response is the way the body recognizes and defends itself against microorganisms, viruses, and substances recognized as foreign and potentially harmful to the body.

Pictures & Images

Immune System Structures

Phagocytosis

See all Pictures & Images

The immune system

The immune system protects the body from potentially harmful substances by recognizing and responding to so-called antigens. Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, or bacteria. Some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles (such as a splinter) can be antigens. Substances that contain these antigens are recognized and destroyed by the immune system . Even your own body cells have proteins that are antigens (these include a group of antigens called HLA antigens). Your immune system learns to see these antigens as "normal" and does not usually react against them.

< Previous

^ Top

Next >

Jump to another section

• Definition
• The immune system
• Innate immunity and inflammation
• Acquired immunity
• Passive immunity
• Immune system disorders and allergies
• Signs of inflammation
• Tests
• Therapies
• Complications
• Pictures & Images

Review Date : 10/30/2003
Reviewed By : Donald Accetta, MD, MPH. President, Allergy & Asthma Care, PC, Taunton, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Main Page of Immune Response

Featured Topics
•	Alzheimer's Disease
•	High Blood Pressure
•	Crohn's Disease
•	Impotence
•	Overactive Bladder

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial reviewers. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
Copyright © 2009 AllRefer.com All Rights reserved.
Health Topics: A-Al Am-Az B C-Cj Ck-Cz D E F G H I J K L M N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sl Sm-Sz T U V W X Y Z 0-9
About Us | Help | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
Contact Us | Link to Us | User Satisfaction Survey | Healthopedia.com
Page Last Updated: 07 Nov, 2009