Image Courtesy of: http://aids.gov/images/immune-system-101.jpg
Essential Question:
1. How does the body protect against invaders?
Due Today
16.5-16.7 notes
Today’s Announcements
1. I will be after school for help on Monday and Thursday of Next week
2. Great to see people at sustainability night-if you came you do not have to write a Friday Response. If you didn’t come, you need to write a Friday response.
Do Now
Describe what you know about the immune system.
Starred thought of the Day
*If you have the chance to sit it out or dance…I hope you dance.*
Class Activities
We went over the immune system using clicker questions today. Questions and answers are posted below
1. Specific Immunity works against a broad range of pathogens
A)True
B)False- nonspecific immunity is what works against a broad range of pathogens.
2. Gertrude cutes her cheek while chewing her food. Explain how this pertains to nonspecific immunity.
Nonspecific Immunity is like a wall- it keeps a majority of pathogens out. Nonspecific immunity works against ALL pathogens, and is made up of skin, saliva, & mucus membranes. If Gertrudes skin is broken, the pathogen can enter the body and then specific immunity (the immune response) would have to take over.
3. Julia goes to a remote village in Africa to do some humanitarian work, and becomes infected with the Ebola virus. The Ebola virus casues tears on the skin and in the mucus membranes, but doesn’t kill Julia. What should Julia worry about?
Julia should worry about secondary infection- many pathogens can get in now that she has holes in her nonspecific defense. Ebola does exists and has a 90% or higher mortality rate.
4. What do you think would happen if a person had a random mutation in the DNA of their body cells (which happened immediately, and in all newly made cells) which codes for surface receptors?
The body needs to be able to distinguish between self and others. When the white blood cells detected the changed body cells, the white blood cells would attack the body cells. This is what happens in an autoimmune disease
5. An antigen is what your body makes in response to a virus.
A) True
B) False- an antigen IS a pathogen (note the endings). Your body makes antibodies against viruses.
6. Describe a change which might occur within our bodies and increase the number of white blood cells.
Humans have a natural range of white blood cells in the body. If you have an increased amount of white blood cells, it often means your body is currently fighting some sort of infection- whether it be bacterial, viral, or fungal.
Homework
Friday Response Article- Choose 1
Article 1: U.S. Lifespans Lags Other High-Income Countries, Tied to Mortality Rates Under Age 50- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130313182259.htm
Article 2: Four Dinousaur Egg Species Identified in Lleida, Spain-http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130312134912.htm
Article 3: Canadian Arctic Glacier Melt Accelerating, Irreversible, Projections Suggest- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130312134914.htm