There are many concepts involved in the study of immunity. These include innate and acquired immunity, the role of T cells, B cells, and immune memory, and how these systems protect the body from various types of diseases. Immunity is a complex topic and a good place to begin is by learning what is immunity and how it works. The concepts of innate immunity and acquired immunity will be explained in this article. The concepts of self, danger, antigen, and receptor will also be described.
The first studies of immunology date back to ancient times. Ancient doctors observed the properties of diseased substances that induce long-standing protection in naive humans. Early medical observations also demonstrated that survivors of plagues were immune to the disease despite imprecise diagnoses of disease. In addition, Chinese and Hindu healers were aware of the efficacy of homeopathic insufflation, in which powdered scabs were blown through a straw into the lungs of healthy individuals.
In addition to the study of allergies, immunology studies the development of the immune system in humans. Allergies are a common occurrence, a condition in which the body’s immune system responds to substances that are normally harmless to the body. In allergy, the immune system will release powerful chemicals known as histamine to attack the allergen. These chemicals cause inflammation and many of the symptoms associated with allergies. Immunology is the study of these reactions and the role of the immune system in preventing allergies and other diseases.