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GCSE Biology · key term
The body’s cells, tissues and organs that detect and defend against pathogens and abnormal cells.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.3.1.6 · Paper 1
The body's cells, tissues and processes that recognise and defend against pathogens and their harmful products.
Revise: Human Defence SystemsIf a pathogen reaches the body's internal tissues, the immune system tries to destroy it and prevent it from reproducing. White blood cells make an important contribution through three processes: phagocytosis, antibody production and antitoxin production.
Specification 5.3 · Paper 1
Do not say that antibodies kill every pathogen directly. State that a particular antibody binds to its complementary antigen and helps the immune system deal with that pathogen.
When asked for the role of the immune system, link each stage in a sequence: recognise a foreign antigen, respond to the pathogen, remove it, and retain memory cells.
Do not confuse immunity with the body's barriers. Skin, mucus and stomach acid try to prevent entry; the immune system responds when pathogens have entered the body.
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The body’s network of cells, tissues and organs that recognises and defends against pathogens.
The immune system normally recognises and destroys pathogens. If a disease damages this system, pathogens that would usually be controlled can reproduce and cause illness more easily.
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
The body's system for recognising and responding to pathogens and other foreign material, helping to protect against disease.
Revise: Immune System RoleThe immune system then helps to protect the body against the disease that the pathogen could cause.