Cells of the Immune System

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A newer version of this resource is available at: https://www.biointeractive.org/classroom-resources/immune-system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