THE ACQUIRED IMMUNE SYSTEM - SUMMARY

Now we have come to the end of this section on the Acquired Immune System.

It is an extraordinary system, with the continued co-operation of all its components with each other and with the components of the innate immune system being necessary for continued good health and for our protection against infecting micro-organisms.

First of all, you should take note of the many roles that the T-lymphocytes take.

They are definitely a multi-talented group of cells.

Perhaps the most important roles are those of the T-helper and T-suppressor cells which coordinate so much of the work of the acquired and innate immune systems.

However, we must not forget the B-cell lymphocytes, who do so much to prepare the micro-organisms for destruction by other cells of the immune system.

Of particular interest is the role of the two immunoglobulins - IgM and IgG in providing the primary and secondary immune responses to infections.

Without the ability of the memory cells to remember previous infections, and to learn from them, we would not be able to immunise children (and also adults) against serious infectious diseases.

All told, the whole immune system is a fascinating and intricate subject to study.