Posted on July 7th, 2009 by Craig Maltby, Editor
Cells, cells, everywhere! No wonder immune balance is complex
When I read stuff about the immune system and immune balance, I always see various names of cells that are all connected in some way to the body’s immune response. The Web site howstuffworks.com is a very good site at explaining, well, how stuff works. Its section on the Immune System has a chapter on white blood cells–the command center of immune response–and what kind of white bloods cells do what. Not all of them are created equal. Here’s a list of white blood cells highlighted on the site:
- Leukocytes
- Lymphocyte
- Monocytes
- Granulocytes
- B-cells
- Plasma cells
- T-cells
- Helper T-cells
- Killer T-cells
- Suppressor T-cells
- Natural killer cells
- Neutrophils
- Eosinophils
- Basophils
- Phagocytes
- Macrophages
If you really want to get into it, the site goes through a great explanation of other immune systems components, such as the lymph, or lymphatic, system and how it interacts with blood cells, antibodies, bone marrow, hormones and other body systems that contribute to immune defense. The only thing I didn’t see much content for was the gastrointestinal system’s microflora and how beneficial bacteria in the gut impacts immune health.
But don’t let that stop you. Give it a read. It’s written in plain English and in very understandable style…almost as well as this blog!
While you’re at it, check out this cosmic animation (and music) of a macrophage cell recognizing a pathogen and latching onto it. Wild stuff.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:34 am
Well, considering that the immune system is so complicated, I think it is understandable not everyone understands how it works. Most lay people would be content knowing that it’s there and it works, really.
July 13th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
For sure. But in many people, the immune system underperforms. Is does NOT work as well as it could. While most people will never need to memorize all classes of immune cells or understand cell messaging, they can, hopefully, grasp the basic concept that shows how a healthy immune system has balance, and that people can take steps to foster that balance, and hence, achieve better overall health.