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The document outlines the structure and function of the lymphatic and immune systems, detailing the roles of lymphatic vessels and organs in maintaining fluid balance, fat absorption, and immune defense. It describes primary lymphatic organs like red bone marrow and the thymus, as well as secondary organs such as the spleen and lymph nodes, which are crucial for filtering and responding to pathogens. Additionally, it explains innate and adaptive immune responses, highlighting the roles of various immune cells and protective proteins in defending the body against infections.

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4 views

L6

The document outlines the structure and function of the lymphatic and immune systems, detailing the roles of lymphatic vessels and organs in maintaining fluid balance, fat absorption, and immune defense. It describes primary lymphatic organs like red bone marrow and the thymus, as well as secondary organs such as the spleen and lymph nodes, which are crucial for filtering and responding to pathogens. Additionally, it explains innate and adaptive immune responses, highlighting the roles of various immune cells and protective proteins in defending the body against infections.

Uploaded by

vddpypv54v
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Structure and Function of

Large Biological Molecules


The Lymphatic and Immune
System
Ms.Reham Al sultan
The lymphatic system
• The lymphatic system consists of lymphatic vessels and lymphatic organs.

• This system, closely associated with the cardiovascular system

• has three main functions that contribute to homeostasis:

1. Fluid Balance – Lymphatic capillaries absorb excess interstitial fluid and return it to the
bloodstream.

2. Fat Absorption – They also absorb fats from the digestive tract and transport them to the
bloodstream

3. Immune Defense – Lymphoid organs and white blood cells help protect the body against disease.
Lymphatic Vessels
• The lymphatic system is a one-way network of vessels that transport lymph from body tissues to
the cardiovascular system.

• Lymph, primarily composed of interstitial fluid, contains water, nutrients, electrolytes, oxygen,
hormones, enzymes, and wastes.
• Lymphatic capillaries, located near cardiovascular capillaries, merge into larger lymphatic
vessels
• These vessels act as channels that direct the lymph toward two main collecting ducts in the
body: the thoracic duct (left subclavian vein) or the right lymphatic duct (right subclavian
vein).
• Like veins, these vessels have valves to prevent backflow, and lymph movement relies
on skeletal muscle contractions.
https://youtu.be/JRkLDKrDtDY?si=LkPSONLKrE0qhKRq
Lymphatic Organs
The lymphatic organs are divided into two categories.

The primary lymphatic organs include the red bone marrow and the thymus.

The secondary lymphatic organs include the lymph nodes and spleen
The Primary Lymphatic Organs

Red Bone Marrow


• Produces all blood cells, including red blood cells and
five types of white blood cells (neutrophils,
eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes).

• B lymphocytes mature in the bone marrow, while T


lymphocytes migrate to the thymus for maturation.
The Primary Lymphatic Organs
Thymus
• Soft , bilobed , located in the thoracic cavity, between the trachea and sternum, above
the heart.
• Begins shrinking before puberty and is smaller in adults.
• Produces thymosin, a hormone that aids in T cell maturation.
• Serves as the maturation site for T lymphocytes, which migrate from the bone
marrow.
The Secondary Lymphatic Organs

• Include the spleen, lymph nodes, and tonsils.

• Other structures like the appendix and mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue


(MALT) contain lymphatic nodules that help fight infections.
The Secondary Lymphatic Organs
Spleen
• Largest lymphatic organ, located in the upper left abdomen behind the stomach.
• Filters blood and contains white pulp (immune function) and red pulp (filters old red
blood cells).
• Macrophages in the spleen engulf pathogens and debris.
• The spleen has a thin outer capsule, making it vulnerable to rupture from injury or
infection ; a ruptured spleen increases infection risk.
The Secondary Lymphatic Organs
Lymph Nodes
• Filter lymph and are found along lymphatic vessels.
• Contain macrophages that engulf pathogens and lymphocytes that fight infections and
attack cancer cells.
• Named by location (e.g., inguinal nodes in the groin, axillary nodes in the armpits).
• Swollen lymph nodes indicate infection.
The Secondary Lymphatic Organs
• Lymphatic nodules are concentrations of lymphoid tissue not surrounded by a
capsule.

• Tonsils are patches of lymphoid tissue located in a ring about the pharynx ; the first line of
defense against pathogen that enter the body by way of the nose and mouth.

• Peyer’s patches are located in the intestinal wall and in tissues within the appendix, protect
against pathogens entering through digestion.
Immunity

▪ Immunity is the capability of killing or removing foreign substances, pathogens, and cancer
cells from the body.

▪ Immunity involves innate and adaptive defenses.


Innate immune system
▪ Innate immune defenses are the body's first line of

defense against infection and include : physical and

chemical barriers, the inflammatory response

(which involves phagocytes and natural killer

cells), and protective proteins like complement and

interferons.

▪ These defenses act quickly after infection, without


prior recognition or memory of the attacker.
Physical and Chemical Barriers

▪ Physical Barriers: Skin, mucous membranes, and ciliated cells prevent pathogen entry.

▪ Chemical Barriers: Skin oils, lysozyme (in sweat, saliva, and tears), stomach acid, and vaginal
acidity kill or inhibit microbes.

▪ Normal Flora: microbes that usually reside in the mouth, large intestine, and other areas.

▪ Normal flora compete with pathogens for available nutrients ; antibiotics can disrupt normal
flora balance.
Inflammatory Response

Inflammatory Response: second defense line using neutrophils, macrophages, and proteins.

• Process: The inflammatory response, marked by swelling, pain, redness, and warmth, results
from capillary changes that protect the body. Histamine from damaged cells causes capillary
dilation, increasing blood flow, which raises temperature to delay pathogens and brings white
blood cells to the area.

• Neutrophils: Phagocytize pathogens; if overwhelmed, they release cytokines to attract


reinforcements such as monocytes that becomes Macrophages (Stronger phagocytes).
Innate immune system
Protective Proteins

• The complement system often simply called complement, is composed of a number of blood
plasma proteins designated by the letter C and a number

• Amplifies inflammation by triggering histamine release and attracting phagocytes.

• Helps phagocytosis by marking pathogens for destruction.

• Forms membrane attack complexes that create holes in bacterial cells, causing them to burst.
Protective Proteins
• Interferons: Proteins released by virus-infected cells to warn nearby cells.

• Help block viral replication in non infected cells.

• Used in treatments for viral infections like hepatitis C.


Adaptive Immune Defenses
• Adaptive defenses require B cells and T cells, also called B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes.
• The adaptive defenses respond to antigens, or foreign objects, in the body.
Adaptive Immune Defenses
• B cells :
• Plasma Cells: Activated B cells produce plasma cells, which secrete antibodies and later undergo
apoptosis.
• Antibody Structure: Most antibodies are Y-shaped with two antigen-binding sites.
• Memory B Cells: These remain in the body to quickly respond if the same antigen appears again.
Adaptive Immune Defenses
• T cells
Activated T cells multiply until the infection is controlled, then most undergo apoptosis, leaving
behind memory T cells for future immunity.
Types of T Cells:
1. Cytotoxic T cells kill virus-infected or cancerous cells.
2. Helper T cells assist in immune responses.
• Function: T cells play a key role in cell-mediated immunity, directly attacking infected or
abnormal cells.
Adaptive Immune Defenses
Acquired Immunity

• Acquired immunity includes active and passive immunity.

• Active immunity is triggered by vaccines and relies on memory cells to protect against future
infections.

• Passive immunity provides immediate protection by administering antibodies, but it is short-


lived.

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