Discovering Our Defenses: The Innate Immune System

Discovering Our Defenses: The Innate Immune System

Learning Objective

Understand the key components and functions of the innate immune system.

What do you already know about the body's natural defenses against diseases?

What is the Immune System?

The body's defense system that protects against pathogens and foreign substances.

Innate vs. Adaptive Immunity

Innate immunity is the body's first line of defense, while adaptive immunity is specific and develops over time.

Components of the Innate Immune System

Includes physical barriers, chemical defenses, and cellular components like phagocytes and natural killer cells.

Physical Barriers

Skin and mucous membranes act as physical barriers to prevent pathogens from entering the body.

Chemical Defenses

Substances like stomach acid and antimicrobial proteins help to destroy pathogens.

Cellular Components

Phagocytes engulf and destroy pathogens, while natural killer cells target infected cells.

Innate Immune Response

Initiated immediately upon encountering a pathogen, providing rapid but nonspecific protection.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.