Introduction
The human body has a self-defense system that protects a person from infection and disease and is referred to as the body immune system. Through the elimination of intrusive microbes that are referred to as germs, as well as other organisms that cause infections, the body is protected from disease. The system is made up of a network body organs, cells, and tissue that work in collaboration to protect attacks against the body (Sompayrac, 2015). As the primary body defense line, the system’s complexity is a marvel; this is mainly because it can remember and recognize millions of different microbes and organisms. With that memory, the system can be able to protect the body from a recurring organism or microbes.
Processes of the immune system
The body’s immune system works in complexity and simplicity at the same time, and its processes depend on the type of the immunity that one has. There are two different types of immunity; one is natural and the other is acquired. The natural immune system is innate to the body and is passed down to a person during conception. The acquired immunity depends on the memory that the system has accumulated and can produce antigens against attackers. For instance, in the case of the person scratched by a cat for the first time, the immune system reacts to the microbes in contact. The symptoms felt of reddened skin as well as sore to the touch are the responses of the immune system. The system then produces defenses that attack the microbes introduced to the body. This is without regard to explicit antigen indicators such as the patrolling phagocytes as well as the NK cells (Sherwood, 2015). After a while, the reaction will stop when the microbes have been vanquished by the defenses.
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Through communication and memory capacity, the system creates tailored antibodies for the specific infection-causing organism or microbes. This way, when the microbe is introduced to the body once again, the created antibodies will be signaled and attacks the microbe immediately. Therefore, when the cat scratches the person after a month, the person will hardly notice as the reaction will not be repeated. The person will have acquired immunity to that microbe or bacteria and fungi.
Endocrine system; organs and glands
| Endocrine glands/organs | location | type | Secreted hormones | function | disorder |
| hypothalamus | The head near the brain stem | organ |
Thyrotropin Dopamine Growth Somatostatin Gonadotropin Vasopressin Corticotrophin |
Directly controlling the endocrine system and different other cells in the body | A hypothalamic disease which is mostly caused by physical injury or impact to the head. |
| Pituitary gland | Head region near the hypothalamus | gland |
Somatotropin Thyrotropin Corticotrophin Beta-endorphin Follicle-stimulating hormone Luteinizing Prolactin Melanocyte Oxytocin Vasopressin |
It controls the release or inhibits hormone release to the body. | Pituitary tumors which affect the average ability to release hormones. |
| Thyroid | In the neck region near the trachea | gland |
Calcitonin Triiodothyronine Thyroxine |
Production, storage and hormone release to the bloodstream. | Thyroid disease which is caused by the under or over the function of the gland. |
| Pineal gland | Found in the head region next to the thalamus of the brain. | gland | Melatonin | It functions a control guide of the circadian rhythms | Pineal gland disorders are mainly caused by depression, sexual dysfunction, and peptic ulcers. |
| Parathyroid gland | In the neck region near the trachea and adjacent to thyroid gland | gland | Parathyroid hormone | Its major function is calcium ion homeostasis | Hyperparathyroidism that is caused by overworking of the parathyroid lobes |
| Adrenal glands | Located in the upper torso next to the kidneys | gland |
Glucocorticoids Mineralocorticoids Androgens Adrenaline Noradrenaline Dopamine Encephalin |
It helps in the control of body functions such as the blood pressure regulation, reaction to stressors, blood sugar control as well as burning of proteins and fats. |
Cushing’s syndrome that is caused by the presence of excess cortisol. Addison’s disease that is caused by insufficient cortisol. |
| Stomach | Upper torso below the lungs | organ |
Gastrin Ghrelin Neuropeptide Y Somatostatin Histamine Endothelin |
It carries out digestive functions in the body. | Gastric disorder mostly caused by digestive dysfunction. |
| Pancreas | Located in the upper torso next to the stomach. | organ |
Insulin Glucagon Somatostatin Pancreatic-polypeptide. |
Its major function in the endocrine system is the regulation of blood sugar. | Pancreatitis which is caused by the inflammation of the pancreas. |
| Testes | Lower torso | organ |
Androgens/ testosterone Estradiol Inhibin |
It functions to control growth through the hormones produced as well as the development of sex organs. | Testicular disorders may be caused by various imbalances of hormones in the testis and may cause infertility as well as sexual problems. |
| Ovarian follicle | Lower torso near the uterus | gland |
Progesterone Androstenedione Estrogens Inhibin |
They function in the production of the female sex hormones to maintain proper conditions during fetus development in the body. | A polycystic ovarian disease that is caused by the formation of the follicle cysts in the ovaries |
| Heart | Upper torso next to the lungs | Organ |
Atrial natriuretic peptide. Brain natriuretic peptide. |
It functions to regulate blood flow and blood pressure. | The most common heart disorders include high and low blood pressures caused by an irregular hormone imbalance in the heart. |
| Thymus | Upper torso in the posterior of the chest | Organ | Thymosins | It helps in training and development of T-lymphocytes that aids in the protection against pathogens |
Myasthenia gravis which causes muscle weaknesses. A paraneoplastic syndrome which is related to cancer and is caused by tumor masses in the organ. |
References
Bergman, Å., Heindel, J. J., Kasten, T., Kidd, K. A., Jobling, S., Neira, M., ... & Brandt, I. (2013). The impact of endocrine disruption: a consensus statement on the state of the science. Environmental Health Perspectives , 121 (4), a104.
Gore, A. C., Chappell, V. A., Fenton, S. E., Flaws, J. A., Nadal, A., Prins, G. S., ... & Zoeller, R. T. (2015). Executive summary to EDC-2: the endocrine society's second scientific statement on endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Endocrine Reviews , 36 (6), 593-602.
Iwasaki, A., & Medzhitov, R. (2015). Control of adaptive immunity by the innate immune system. Nature Immunology , 16 (4), 343-353.
Sherwood, L. (2015). Human physiology: from cells to systems . Cengage learning.
Sompayrac, L. M. (2015). How the immune system works . John Wiley & Sons.
