Importance of the Immune System

Serena Cuoghi
Title of Professor of Biology

The immune system, also referred to as immunological, represents a whole set of physiological resources, that is, a work as a team between organs, cells and chemical substances, which are arranged for the defense of life in animals vertebrates.

There is such a rich variety of living beings in nature that the evolution of ways of life has been possible. diverse, while many, especially fungi, viruses and bacteria, have developed their survival depending on other beings. In the same way, there is a huge variety of parasites, both flatworms and nematodes, and even arthropods, such as mites, ticks and even some wasps, that parasitize other animals, which has led vertebrates to develop - also in an evolutionary way - a specific system that allows them to defend themselves against diseases.

In the vast majority of vertebrate animals there is an immune system, responsible for fighting diseases and parasites, which is essential and decisive to allow the survival of the individual and, therefore, of all his species. Without a real immune defense capacity, many would be the species of vertebrate animals that they would have become extinct, as a consequence of the multiple diseases to which they are exposed.

Organs of the immune system

Most of the organs of the body are involved in the actions of the immune system and, according to their participation, they are classified as main or secondary.

The bone marrow, he spleen and the thymus They are considered major organs of the immune system, because the cells that act in defense of the organism are produced in them, specifically fighting a pathogen through a directed immune response, through the production and activation of proteins that are capable of synthesizing B lymphocytes and T.

On the other hand, the secondary organs are no less important than the previous ones, since the responsibility for the production of immune cells of the type neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells, which are capable of carrying out a generalized attack on any type of disease, activating immediate responses that serve to bring microorganisms under control, while directed responses are produced according to the reaction mechanisms between the antigen – specific pathogenic agent – ​​and its corresponding antibody.

Secondary organs, also called peripheral, are distributed throughout the body, such as the lymph nodes and skin, and in the main access routes through which microorganisms enter, such as Peyer's Patches along the respiratory tract and intestine, tonsils in the upper part back of the mouth, the lymphoid tissues in the nose and digestive tract and again the bone marrow itself, as it is found in the internal area of ​​each of the bones of the body.

immunity and emotions

There is currently a large number of investigations that point to the demonstration of the relationship relationship between the functioning of the immune system and emotions, both positive and negative. negative.

Various lines of study in high-risk diseases, such as cancer, have already assumed the importance of the emotional state of the patient, both for their recovery from the disease itself, as well as overcoming the side effects of the various treatments, so it is indisputable, not only the fact that there is a very strong relationship between the immune system and emotions, but also how emotions can become powerful tools for recovery and maintenance of health, for which reason psychological accompaniment in this sense is becoming more frequent, towards people with difficult diseases. treatment.

Although it is true that vertebrates, including humans, have a very efficient immune system, it It is also susceptible to getting sick by itself, and the greatest responsibility for this phenomenon lies with the emotions.

The appearance of diseases caused by the immune system itself, which are nothing more than disorientation in recognition and defense actions, which end in the attack of cells, tissues and organs of the body itself. These peculiar responses are known as autoimmune diseases and, as you can already guess, they are very difficult to fight, hence the importance of make us aware of how to maintain the health of our immune system, so that it helps us maintain the health of all the rest of our body, to achieve this it is not only enough to maintain a healthy diet, but also a correct management of emotions, always in search of their greater balance.

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