Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart2h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

21. The Immune System

Antigens

Anatomy & Physiology

21. The Immune System

Antigens

Previous problemNext problem

Struggling with Anatomy & Physiology?

Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video

Multiple Choice

Which type of disease results from the inability of the immune system to distinguish self- from nonself-antigens?

autoimmune disease

immunodeficiency

allergy

SCID

anaphylaxis

Previous problemNext problem

Verified step by step guidance

Begin by understanding the role of the immune system, which is to protect the body from foreign invaders such as pathogens, while recognizing and not attacking the body's own cells.

Learn about the concept of antigens, which are molecules or molecular structures that can be recognized by the immune system. Self-antigens are those that originate from the body's own cells, while nonself-antigens come from external sources.

Explore the term 'autoimmune disease,' which refers to conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells, failing to distinguish between self- and nonself-antigens.

Differentiate autoimmune diseases from other immune-related conditions such as immunodeficiency (where the immune system is underactive), allergies (where the immune system overreacts to harmless substances), SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, a genetic disorder leading to a severely compromised immune system), and anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction).

Conclude that the inability of the immune system to distinguish self- from nonself-antigens specifically results in autoimmune diseases, where the body's own tissues are targeted as if they were foreign.