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allison gibson
11/23/2025
Biology
anatomy (BSCI 21020) lymphatics + immunity notes
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Nov 23, 2025
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Lymphatic System and Immunity Notes - BSCI 21020 Anatomy
allison gibson
@allison.gibson
1 / 4
Lymphatics and Immunity Basics
Ever wonder how your body fights off germs? Your immune system has three lines of defense working together to keep you healthy. The lymphatic system includes vessels that reach nearly every tissue in your body, plus organs that produce immune cells.
Your body defends against pathogens - disease-causing agents like viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Think of your defenses like a castle with three layers of protection: outer walls (skin and mucous membranes), guards (innate immunity), and special forces (adaptive immunity).
The first defense layer includes your skin barriers with their tough keratin layer that's too dry for microbes to survive. Your skin also has an acid mantle from sweat that contains protective substances. Your hands and genitals need extra protection since they're high-contact areas!
Did you know? Your skin's surface is actually slightly acidic, which helps prevent many bacteria from growing. This "acid mantle" is one reason why washing with harsh soaps too often can make you more susceptible to infections.
Mucous membranes in your respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts trap microbes in sticky mucus. Below these membranes is areolar tissue that provides additional protection.
Your Innate Defenses
If something gets past your skin and mucous membranes, your second defense layer kicks in. The innate immune system fights equally against all types of pathogens without needing to remember them. It includes protective proteins, inflammation, and fever.
Your body has an impressive team of white blood cells (leukocytes) ready to attack invaders. Neutrophils wander through tissues hunting pathogens, while eosinophils concentrate in mucous membranes to fight parasites and allergens. Basophils secrete chemicals that help other immune cells, and monocytes transform into macrophages—powerful cells that devour pathogens.
Lymphocytes come in three varieties: T cells (80%), B cells (15%), and NK cells (5%). B cells mark pathogens with antibodies for destruction, which T cells then eliminate.
When you're sick with a fever, your body is actually helping fight infection! Fever elevates your body temperature, which promotes interferon activity, stops pathogen reproduction, increases metabolic rate, and speeds up tissue repair. Fevers typically progress through onset (rising temperature), stadium (stable high temperature), and defervescence (temperature lowering).
Pro tip: Moderate fevers are actually part of your body's defense system and might help you recover faster. Only take fever-reducing medications when recommended by a healthcare provider!
Adaptive Immunity: Your Specialized Defense
Inflammation is your body's local response to tissue injury. You can recognize it by its four cardinal signs: redness, swelling, heat, and pain. It limits pathogen spread, destroys invaders, removes debris, and initiates tissue repair. When you see a medical term ending in "-itis," it refers to inflammation of that body part.
The adaptive immune system takes your defenses to the next level. Unlike innate immunity, it's specific to particular pathogens and has "memory"—meaning it remembers invaders it has encountered before. This system works throughout your entire body (systemic effect) and provides quick responses to repeat infections, often preventing noticeable illness.
Adaptive immunity works in two main ways: cellular immunity and humoral immunity . Humoral immunity can only fight infections outside your cells and works in stages: recognition, attack, and memory.
Amazing fact: Your immune system can produce around 1 trillion different antibodies, allowing it to recognize and fight virtually any invader you might encounter throughout your life!
You can acquire adaptive immunity in several ways: naturally by fighting off an infection (natural active), through vaccination (artificial active), from another person's antibodies (natural passive), or by receiving antibody injections (artificial passive).
Antigens, Antibodies, and Lymphocytes
Antigens are molecules that trigger your immune response. They include proteins, glycolipids, and polysaccharides that are genetically different from your own cells. When your body detects these foreign molecules (usually larger than 10,000 atomic mass units), it marks them with antibodies for destruction.
Antibodies, also called immunoglobulins (Ig), are defensive proteins that target specific antigens. Different types serve different purposes: IgA provides immunity to newborns through breast milk, while IgG crosses the placenta to protect fetuses and makes up 80% of your circulating antibodies. When you're re-exposed to a pathogen, your IgG levels increase dramatically to fight it off quickly.
T-lymphocytes follow an interesting journey: they're born in your bone marrow, mature in your thymus gland, and then deploy throughout your body to carry out immune functions. These specialized cells are critical for directly attacking infected cells and coordinating your overall immune response.
Remember this: Vaccines work by introducing dead or weakened pathogens that stimulate your immune system to produce antibodies without causing disease—giving you immunity without getting sick!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
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Is Knowunity really free of charge?
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Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
Lymphatic System and Immunity Notes - BSCI 21020 Anatomy
allison gibson
@allison.gibson
The lymphatic system is your body's superhero network that helps protect you from illness and disease. It consists of vessels that run throughout your body, along with tissues and organs that produce immune cells. Let's explore how this incredible system... Show more
Lymphatics and Immunity Basics
Ever wonder how your body fights off germs? Your immune system has three lines of defense working together to keep you healthy. The lymphatic system includes vessels that reach nearly every tissue in your body, plus organs that produce immune cells.
Your body defends against pathogens - disease-causing agents like viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Think of your defenses like a castle with three layers of protection: outer walls (skin and mucous membranes), guards (innate immunity), and special forces (adaptive immunity).
The first defense layer includes your skin barriers with their tough keratin layer that's too dry for microbes to survive. Your skin also has an acid mantle from sweat that contains protective substances. Your hands and genitals need extra protection since they're high-contact areas!
Did you know? Your skin's surface is actually slightly acidic, which helps prevent many bacteria from growing. This "acid mantle" is one reason why washing with harsh soaps too often can make you more susceptible to infections.
Mucous membranes in your respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts trap microbes in sticky mucus. Below these membranes is areolar tissue that provides additional protection.
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Your Innate Defenses
If something gets past your skin and mucous membranes, your second defense layer kicks in. The innate immune system fights equally against all types of pathogens without needing to remember them. It includes protective proteins, inflammation, and fever.
Your body has an impressive team of white blood cells (leukocytes) ready to attack invaders. Neutrophils wander through tissues hunting pathogens, while eosinophils concentrate in mucous membranes to fight parasites and allergens. Basophils secrete chemicals that help other immune cells, and monocytes transform into macrophages—powerful cells that devour pathogens.
Lymphocytes come in three varieties: T cells (80%), B cells (15%), and NK cells (5%). B cells mark pathogens with antibodies for destruction, which T cells then eliminate.
When you're sick with a fever, your body is actually helping fight infection! Fever elevates your body temperature, which promotes interferon activity, stops pathogen reproduction, increases metabolic rate, and speeds up tissue repair. Fevers typically progress through onset (rising temperature), stadium (stable high temperature), and defervescence (temperature lowering).
Pro tip: Moderate fevers are actually part of your body's defense system and might help you recover faster. Only take fever-reducing medications when recommended by a healthcare provider!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Adaptive Immunity: Your Specialized Defense
Inflammation is your body's local response to tissue injury. You can recognize it by its four cardinal signs: redness, swelling, heat, and pain. It limits pathogen spread, destroys invaders, removes debris, and initiates tissue repair. When you see a medical term ending in "-itis," it refers to inflammation of that body part.
The adaptive immune system takes your defenses to the next level. Unlike innate immunity, it's specific to particular pathogens and has "memory"—meaning it remembers invaders it has encountered before. This system works throughout your entire body (systemic effect) and provides quick responses to repeat infections, often preventing noticeable illness.
Adaptive immunity works in two main ways: cellular immunity and humoral immunity . Humoral immunity can only fight infections outside your cells and works in stages: recognition, attack, and memory.
Amazing fact: Your immune system can produce around 1 trillion different antibodies, allowing it to recognize and fight virtually any invader you might encounter throughout your life!
You can acquire adaptive immunity in several ways: naturally by fighting off an infection (natural active), through vaccination (artificial active), from another person's antibodies (natural passive), or by receiving antibody injections (artificial passive).
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Antigens, Antibodies, and Lymphocytes
Antigens are molecules that trigger your immune response. They include proteins, glycolipids, and polysaccharides that are genetically different from your own cells. When your body detects these foreign molecules (usually larger than 10,000 atomic mass units), it marks them with antibodies for destruction.
Antibodies, also called immunoglobulins (Ig), are defensive proteins that target specific antigens. Different types serve different purposes: IgA provides immunity to newborns through breast milk, while IgG crosses the placenta to protect fetuses and makes up 80% of your circulating antibodies. When you're re-exposed to a pathogen, your IgG levels increase dramatically to fight it off quickly.
T-lymphocytes follow an interesting journey: they're born in your bone marrow, mature in your thymus gland, and then deploy throughout your body to carry out immune functions. These specialized cells are critical for directly attacking infected cells and coordinating your overall immune response.
Remember this: Vaccines work by introducing dead or weakened pathogens that stimulate your immune system to produce antibodies without causing disease—giving you immunity without getting sick!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user