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The immune system is vital for the life of humans and works constantly, but not always quietly, behind the scenes to keep our blood stream free from potentially dangerous foreign organisms.

The methods by which it can achieve this are ingenious. The immune system is composed of specialist blood cells called lymphocytes which have the ability to detect anything in the blood stream that is non-self and destroy it. The recognition of self and non-self matter forms the basis of immunity and the distinction between the two means that our immune systems can attack foreign  matter and leave the cells and molecules of the human body free to carry out their functions.

However, the immune system does not solely consist of these white blood cells but includes many of the major organs of the body and lymphocytes could be described as our last line of defence. Our first line of defence involves the human bodys largest organ, the skin. It would have been impossible the evolution of the human race reach the advanced stage it is today, if our skin had been permeable to bacteria.

The linings of our respiratory tract are also involved as they secrete a layer of mucous which helps to trap any bacteria that may have entered our body while we breathe. Another major aspect of our immune systems is our digestive system as many bacteria find it easy to enter the body whilst being carried by food. Therefore it is important that conditions in the small and large intestines are maintained to prevent these bacteria from causing damage the intestines or entering the blood stream. This aspect of immunity will be discussed in further detail later in the article.