4. Make up a story using the questions above. The Immune System

1. Learn the following words:

influence – влияние,

to protect – защищать,

bacteria – бактерии,

cancer – рак,

foreign substance – инородные субстанции,

to weaken – ослабевать,

ability – возможность,

to allow – позволять,

pathogen – патоген,

common cold – простуда,

flu – грипп,

innate – врожденный,

acquired – приобретенный,

hereditary – наследственный,

to ward off – отражать,

diphtheria – дифтерия,

mumps – свинка,

polio – полиомиелит,

tissue – ткань,

diabetes – диабет,

multiple sclerosis – рассеянный склероз,

psoriasis – псориаз,

rheumatoid arthritis – ревматический артрит,

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) – СПИД,

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) – ВИЧ,

abuse – злоупотребление.

2. Read and translate the text.

The Immune System

The immune system is a system of special cells and organs that protect human organism from outside biological influences. It protects the body against bacteria and viral infections, destroys cancer cells and foreign substances. If the immune system is weakens, its ability to defend the body also weakens. It allows pathogens to cause different diseases, including common colds, flu and even some types of cancer.

The immune system may be divided into two sections: innate immunity and acquired immunity. Innate immunity is composed of hereditary components. These components provide an immediate “first-line” of defense to continuously ward off pathogens.

Acquired immunity produces antibodies (a type of protein) and T-cells. The body can develop a specific immunity to particular pathogens. For example, in the case of vaccination for different infectious diseases, such as diphtheria, mumps, polio and others.

The most important function of the human immune system occurs at the cellular level of blood and tissue. The lymphatic and blood circulation systems carry white blood cells around the body. White blood cells include B-cells, T-cells, natural killers cells, and macrophages. Each group of these cells has different responsibility, but all the cells function together. They recognize attack and destroy bacteria, viruses, cancer cells, and substances seen as foreign.

There are many diseases and disorders of the human immune system. For example, AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), an infection and at present untreatable disease caused by the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and others.

There are also many factors that can contribute to the general weakening of the immune system. Among them are: malnutrition that can cause a lack o vitamins; alcohol abuse; use of anticancer medications, corticosteroids and antibiotics; exposure to radiation and certain environmental toxins; stress and depression; lack of exercises as well as excessive exercises resulting in physiological stress; diseases either infectious or other causing depression on the immune system, and many other factors.