LAB 1-2.   Cells and Organs of the Immune System

            The immune system protects the bodies from pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, and internal threats like cancer.  The immune system is able to recognize invading foreign organisms, to prevent their spread, and ultimately to clear them from the body.  The immune responses are orchestrated by a variety of cells.  These cells circulate throughout the bodies and congregate in specialized lymphoid tissues.  In this lab exercise, we will learn to identify the lymphoid tissues and cells of the immune system.

       LAB 1. Lymphoid Organs:

       A. Primary Lymphoid Organs: Organs where immune cells develop and mature to the stage at which they are able to respond to a pathogen.

        Bone marrow: sites where all the cells that circulate in the blood are developed.  B lymphocytes develop and mature in bone marrow.

        Thymus: organ in which T lymphocyte develop and mature

       B. Secondary Lymphoid Organs: Organs where mature lymphocytes become stimulated to respond to invading pathogens

        Spleen: an organ where lymphocytes meet with pathogens from the blood.  It serves as a filter for the blood and removes damaged or old red cells

        Lymph nodes: an organ where lymphocytes meet with pathogens drained from infection sites.

        Mucosal associated lymphoid tissue: a general term for the unencapsulated lymphoid tissues associated with submucosal areas of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary and respiratory tracts.  It includes tonsils, adenoids, appendix, and the Peyer’s patches which line the small intestine.

Lymphoid organs in mouse
 
 

Lymphoid organs in human

 

Study Questions

1. Define the primary and secondary lymphoid organs.

2. What is the most important difference between the primary and secondary lymphoid organs?

3. Name two areas of the human body where lymph nodes can be found.

4. Where are spleen and thymus located in mice?

5. Name all the primary and secondary lymphoid organs.