Question

The immune system protects against foreign substances and even some cancers. Explain how the

immune system functions. In your answer, be sure to:
• identify one way the immune system fights pathogens
• identify the substance in a vaccine that stimulates the immune system
• describe the response of the immune system to the vaccine
• identify one disease that damages the immune system and state how it affects this system

Answer 1

The immune system fights pathogens with white blood cells. Vaccines contain a weak sample of the virus or pathogen that it is intended to vaccinate, so the immune system is stimulated to fight the virus or pathogen. The immune system responds to the vaccine by fighting against it, and therefore, is prepared to fight the same structure of the pathogen. A severe stage of HIV is AIDS. AIDS does severe damage to the immune system and weakens it. It destroys T-cells that are essential for the immune system and immune response to pathogens.