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Cells of the Immune System

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Topic

  • Cell Biology
  • Cell Communication
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Immune System

Resource Type

  • Interactive Media
  • Click & Learn

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
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43 Users
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Description

A newer version of this resource is available at: https://www.biointeractive.org/classroom-resources/immune-system

This tutorial provides an overview of the immune system, concentrating on the roles played by B and T lymphocytes, and on the antigen-presentation system.

All animals possess a nonspecific defense system called the innate immune system, which includes macrophages in mammals. Vertebrates have an additional powerful immune response called adaptive immunity. This Click & Learn describes key elements of the adaptive immune system, including B cells and antibody molecules, helper T cells and cytotoxic T cells, and antigen presentation.

The accompanying worksheet guides students’ exploration.

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.

Student Learning Targets

Describe the roles different immune cells play in defending the human body from infection.

Estimated Time

One 50-minute class period.

Key Terms

adaptive immunity, antibody, antigen, antigen-presenting cell (APC), cytokine, humoral immunity, innate immunity, major histocompatibility complex (MHC), pathogen, white blood cell

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Version History

Date Published 02.28.07

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1-1; SEP6

AP Biology (2019)

IST-3.A, IST-3.F; SP1

IB Biology (2016)

6.3, 11.1

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.2; ELA.WHST.9-12.9

Vision and Change (2009)

CC2; DP1

Materials

Resource Google Folder (Link)
Worksheet (PDF) 144 KB

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