The Immune System

What is the Immune System? The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body. One of the important cells involved are white blood cells, also called leukocytes, which come in two basic types that combine to seek out and destroy disease-causing organisms or substances. Your Immune System To be immune (say: ih-MYOON) means to be protected. So it makes sense that the body system that helps fight off sickness is called the immune system. The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body.White blood cells, also called leukocytes (say: LOO-kuh-sytes), are part of this defense system. There are two basic types of these germ-fighting cells:phagocytes (say: FAH-guh-sytes), whichchew up invading germslymphocytes (say: LIM-fuh-sytes), whichallow the body to remember and recognize previous invadersLeukocytes are found in lots of places, including your spleen, an organ in your belly that filters blood and helps fight infections. Leukocytes also can be found in bone marrow, which is a thick, spongy jelly inside your bones.So you have this great system in place. Is it enough to keep you from getting sick? Well, everyone gets sick sometimes. But your immune system helps you get well again. And if you've had your shots (also calledvaccines), your body is extra-prepared to fight off serious illnesses that your immune system alone might not handle very well. If you get the shot that covers measles, for instance, it can protect you from getting measles, if you're ever exposed to it.Healthy kids can help their immune systems bywashing their handsregularly to prevent infections, eating nutritious foods, getting plenty of exercise, getting enough sleep, and getting regular medical checkups. And if you feel great today, thank your immune system!Reviewed by:Larissa Hirsch, MDDate reviewed: October 2019 How the Immune System Works What does immune mean? vulnerable infected protected The purpose of the immune system is to: Help germs invade your body Fight off sickness Make your nose run The immune system is made up of: Tissues Organs Cells All of the above As part of the immune system, white blood cells fight germs. Another name for white blood cells is: Rhinovirus Leukocytes Glands Leukocytes are found in lots of places, including an organ in your belly that filters blood and helps fight infections known as the: Heart Spleen Kidneys The four main types of germs (Pathogens) are: Viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi Viruses, parasites, fungi, and phagocytes Parasites, bacteria, lymphocytes, and fungi Getting these helps your immune system fight off diseases: Bandages Shots (immunizations) Cough drops When someone’s immune system overreacts to something harmless it’s called: An allergy A sneeze The measles To mark a word click its first letter then click its last. IMMUNOLOGIST LYMPHOCYTES LEUKOCYTES PHOGOCYTES PROTECTED LYMPHATIC PARASITEC NUTRITION BACTERIA SANITIZE SICKNESS CHECKUP MEASLES VIRUSES VACCINE IMMUNE FUNGI FIGHT REST