The Immune System Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

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What is the immune system?

The immune system is the body’s internal defence system that helps find and destroy pathogens that get inside you.

What is the main job of the immune system?

Its main job is to protect you from disease by recognising, attacking and removing pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.

Why do we need an immune system if we already have physical defences like skin?

We need an immune system because some pathogens get past physical and chemical defences, and the immune system deals with these inside the body.

Which blood cells carry out most of the work of the immune system?

White blood cells carry out most of the work of the immune system.

Where are white blood cells found in the body?

White blood cells are found in the blood and in a clear fluid called lymph, so they can move all around the body.

What is a pathogen, the type of thing the immune system fights?

A pathogen is a harmful microorganism, such as a bacterium, virus, fungus or protist, that can cause disease.

What is meant by a non-specific immune response?

A non-specific immune response is a general defence that attacks many different types of pathogens in the same way.

What is meant by a specific immune response?

A specific immune response targets one particular type of pathogen and does not work on other types.

How does the immune system help you recover from an infection?

The immune system finds the pathogens, destroys them and removes them from the body, so your tissues can heal and you feel better.

What might happen if a person’s immune system does not work properly?

If the immune system does not work properly, the person gets infections more easily and may find it harder to recover from illness.