Ch 9: Understanding the Immune System
About This Chapter
Understanding the Immune System - Chapter Summary
In this chapter, our instructors explain how the immune system defends the human body against pathogens that cause illnesses. You'll be introduced to adaptive immunity, autoimmune diseases, and immune deficiency diseases. When you've completed this chapter, you should be able to:
- Describe the function of the immune system
- Define adaptive immunity
- Discuss common autoimmune diseases
- Explain common immune deficiency diseases
Our video instructors, who are professionals in their subjects, design each lesson to be thorough - but not too long - and engaging. After each lesson, take the self-assessment quiz to see how well you've learned the material. A written transcript accompanies every lesson in case you want to read along, and you can use the video tags to easily find key points in the video if you want to watch them again. Vocabulary terms are often linked to written lessons that give you further information in case you get stuck on an unfamiliar term.

1. What Is the Immune System? - Our Body's Defense Against Pathogens
The immune system is an individual's private security system, protecting oneself from illness and disease. Learn about the immune system and two of its several defenses, the innate and adaptive immune systems, and explore how they work together and are affected by immune tolerance.

2. What Is Adaptive Immunity? - Definition and Types
The adaptive immune system learns to combat specific threats or antigens, allowing the body to adapt and fight new diseases. Learn the definition of adaptive immunity, and then explore the different types of adaptive immunity, including active, passive, naturally acquired, and artificially acquired immunity.

3. Autoimmune Diseases: Definitions & Types
Autoimmune diseases cause the body's immune system to attack the internal organs. Learn about the definitions of autoimmune diseases, the different types of diseases, and the symptoms and conditions of each illness.

4. Immune Deficiency Diseases: Definitions & Types
The body's human system provides the resources needed to combat infection, as well as disease. Learn about the immune system and explore the definitions and types of immune deficiency diseases, including HIV, AIDS, SCID, CVID, and graft-versus-host.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the TExES Health EC-12 (157): Practice & Study Guide course
- Human Body Systems
- Maintaining Healthy Body Systems
- Prenatal and Human Development
- Nutrition
- Nutritional Disorders
- Physical Fitness
- Communicable Diseases
- Noncommunicable Diseases
- Emotional & Mental Health
- Families & Family Issues
- Health & Healthy Relationships
- Sexuality & Health
- Contraception and Family Planning
- Safety, Accidents & Emergencies
- Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs
- Substance Abuse & Addiction
- Community & Environmental Health
- Health Skills & Resources
- Health-Related Products & Services
- Health Education
- TExES Health EC-12 Flashcards