I.

The Lymphatic System o House lymphocytes (B cells and

T cells) and macrophages.
A. Functions
o Found clustered in cervical,
1. Returns excess interstitial fluid to the
axillary, and inguinal regions.
bloodstream to maintain blood volume
and prevent edema. o Structure:

2. Provides sites for immune Mostly kidney-shaped, about 1

monitoring—lymphoid organs house cm long
lymphocytes and macrophages.
▪ Cortex: follicles with
3. Transports absorbed fats from the germinal centers (B
digestive tract (via lacteals). cells).

▪ Medulla: T cells and

macrophages.
B. Major Components
▪ Afferent vessels >
1. Lymphatic Vessels
efferent vessels →
o One-way system moving lymph slower flow for better
toward the heart. filtration.

o Begin as highly permeable

lymph capillaries with flaplike
C. Other Lymphoid Organs
minivalves.
1. Spleen
o Lymph is moved by skeletal
muscle activity, thoracic o Filters and cleanses blood (not
pressure changes, and lymph).
rhythmic vessel contractions.
o Destroys old RBCs; stores
2. Lymph platelets; site of lymphocyte
proliferation.
o Fluid that comes from
interstitial fluid not reabsorbed 2. Thymus
into blood capillaries (approx. 3
o Site where T cells mature during
L/day).
youth.
-Transported from the lymph capillaries
3. Tonsils
through lymphatic collecting vessels, and
finally returned to the venous system through o Trap pathogens entering through
2 large ducts in the thoracic region: mouth/nose.
- Right lymphatic duct: drains lymph from
the right arm and left side of the head and 4. Peyer’s Patches & Appendix
thorax. o Located in the wall of the distal
- Thoracic duct: receives lymph from the rest small intestines.
of the body.
o Capture and destroy bacteria to
3. Lymph Nodes prevent intestinal wall breaches.
o Filter lymph and remove debris,
bacteria, viruses, cancer cells.
 5. MALT (Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid • Complement: causes lysis, enhances
Tissue) inflammation and phagocytosis.

o Includes tonsils, Peyer’s patches, • Interferons: protect neighboring cells

appendix. from viral infection.

o Protects respiratory and e. Fever

digestive tracts.
• Systemic response; reduces iron/zinc
availability; speeds up repair.

II. Body Defenses

Two major defense systems: B. Adaptive (Specific) Defenses

A. Innate (Nonspecific) Defenses Targeted defense; slower but more powerful; has
memory.
Always active, responds immediately to protect the
body from all foreign substances. Aspects:

1. First Line of Defense — Surface Barriers • Antigen specific, systemic – immunity is

not restricted to the initial infection site, it
• Skin: keratin, acidic secretions.
has “memory”
• Mucous membranes: mucus, cilia,
Two arms:
gastric juice, tears, saliva (lysozyme),
acidic vaginal environment. 1. Humoral Immunity – B cells →
antibodies
• Secretions of skin and mucous
membranes 2. Cellular Immunity – T cells → direct cell
attack

2. Second Line of Defense — Internal Defenses

III. Adaptive Defense Mechanisms
a. Phagocytes
A. Antigens
• Neutrophils and macrophages engulf
pathogens. • Foreign molecules that trigger immune
responses.
b. Natural Killer (NK) Cells
• Self-antigens: body’s own proteins;
• Kill virus-infected and cancerous cells by
normally tolerated.
releasing perforins and granzymes, which
degrade target cell contents. • Haptens: small molecules that become
antigenic when bound to body proteins
c. Inflammatory Response
(e.g., penicillin, poison ivy oils).
• Triggered by injury.

• Signs: redness, heat, pain, swelling.

B. Lymphocytes
• Functions: prevents spread, disposes 1. Origin & Maturation
debris, starts repair.
• Both originate in red bone marrow.
d. Antimicrobial Proteins
 • B cells mature in bone marrow. D. Antibodies (Immunoglobulins)

• T cells mature in thymus. Five classes: IgM, IgA, IgD, IgG, IgE

• Once immunocompetent, they migrate to Key functions:

lymph nodes and spleen.
• Neutralization
C. Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs)
• Agglutination
• Include dendritic cells, macrophages, and
• Precipitation
B cells.
• Complement activation
• Engulf antigens and present them to T
cells. • Opsonization (enhances phagocytosis)

IV. Humoral (Antibody-Mediated) Immunity V. Cellular (Cell-Mediated) Immunity

A. Activation of B Cells A. T Cells
1. B cell encounters antigen → activated. Types & Functions:
2. Clonal selection → formation of: 1. Helper T cells
o Plasma cells (antibody factories) o Activate B cells, T cells, and
macrophages.
o Memory B cells (faster response
next time) o Central to immune response.
B. Primary vs. Secondary Response 2. Cytotoxic T cells
• Primary: slow, takes days; first exposure. o Kill infected or cancerous cells.

• Secondary: rapid, intense due to memory 3. Regulatory T cells

cells.
o Limit and suppress immune
C. Types of Humoral Immunity response.

1. Active Immunity 4. Memory T cells

o Natural: infection. o Long-term defense.

o Artificial: vaccination.

2. Passive Immunity

o Natural: maternal antibodies.

o Artificial: injected antibodies

(e.g., antivenoms).