Translator: Nada Shokry. Validator: Anwar Dafa-Alla A mosquito landed on your arm, She pumped their chemicals into your skin and started feeding. You wouldn't even know it existed were it not for the red bump That is accompanied by a stimulating itch. This bump is annoying, but it is an important sign That you protect your immune system, It is the body's main defense against infection, illness and disease. This organ is a vast network of cells, tissues, and organs That coordinate your body's defenses against any threats to your health. Without it, you would be exposed to billions of bacteria, viruses, and toxins That can make something as minor as a paper cut or a seasonal cold fatal. The immune system relies on millions of defensive white blood cells.
Also known as leukocytes, Which are formed in the bone marrow. These cells travel to the bloodstream and the lymphatic system. It is a network of vessels that helps eliminate toxins and bodily waste. Our bodies are teeming with white globules: There are between 4,000 and 11,000 cells in every microliter of blood. As they move around, the white globules do the job of security personnel, The blood, tissues and organs are constantly checked for suspicious signs. This system relies mainly on signals called antigens. These molecular effects on the surface of pathogens and other foreign matter Foreshadows the presence of invaders. Once the leukocytes reveal it, It only takes minutes for the body to initiate a protective immune response. The risks to our bodies vary widely. Thus the immune response must be similarly adaptive. This means relying on many different types of leukocytes To deal with threats in different ways.
Despite this diversity, we classify the leukocytes into two main cell groups. The two coordinating a two-pronged attack. First, phagocytic cells stimulate the immune response By diffusing macrophages and dendritic cells into the blood. As they spread, they destroy any foreign cells they encounter. Just by devouring it. This allows the phagocytic cells to identify The antigen on the invaders you just took Transfer this information to the second main cell set That coordinate defense, Lymphocytes. A group of lymphocytes called T cells look for affected body cells And kill it quickly.
Meanwhile, B cells and helper T cells Using information gathered from unique antigens To start producing special proteins called antibodies. Here's the most amazing thing: Each antigen has a unique matching antibody that can attach to it Like lock and key, It destroys the invading cells. B cells can produce millions of them. Which in turn spreads throughout the body and attacks the invaders Until you eliminate the worst part of the threat. While all this is happening, the familiar symptoms, Such as high temperature and swelling, They are actually processes designed to aid the immune response. A warmer body makes it harder for bacteria and viruses to multiply and spread Because it is sensitive to heat. And when the body's cells are damaged, They secrete chemicals that make fluids seep into the surrounding tissues. Causing swelling. This also attracts phagocytic cells.
That devour the invaders and the damaged cells. The immune response usually eliminates the threat within a few days. It won't always prevent you from getting sick, but that's not what it is for. Its actual job is to prevent the threat It can reach dangerous levels within your body. Through constant monitoring over time, The immune system gives another benefit: Help us develop long-term immunity. When B and T cells identify antigens, They can use that information to identify future invaders.
So, when the threat returns, the cells can quickly deploy the correct antibodies To counteract it before it affects more cells. This way you can develop immunity to certain diseases, such as chickenpox. But it doesn't always work that well. Some people suffer from autoimmune diseases. That fools the immune system To make it attack the body's own perfectly healthy cells. Nobody knows what exactly caused it. However, these disorders destroy the immune system to varying degrees. It underlies problems such as arthritis And type 1 diabetes And multiple sclerosis. But for most individuals, A healthy immune system will successfully fight an estimated 300 colds And countless other potential infections over the course of a lifetime.
Without it, those threats would escalate into something much more dangerous. So the next time you catch a cold or scratch a mosquito bite, Remember your immune system. We owe him our lives..
