DID YOU KNOW? There are around 800 lymph nodes in the average adult body
YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM EXPLAINED
Meet the cells and organs that make up your immune system. Discover how it keeps deadly invaders at bay and what happens when it gets out of control
WORDS SCOTT DUTFIELD
Every day your immune system is working tirelessly to fend off harmful invading pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. Our understanding of the immune system began in the late-19th century when Russian zoologist Élie Metchnikoff identified a group of white blood cells called phagocytes, whose purpose is to seek out, engulf and eliminate pathogens. During the same period, the discovery of antibodies and their role in neutralising pathogens also came to light thanks to German physiologists Emil Behring and Paul Ehrlich. Since then, scientists from around the world have come to understand the complexity of our immune system and the many ways it has evolved to fight off bacterial baddies and villainous viruses.
Part of our immune system is passed on to us as newborns from our mothers through the placenta during our time spent in the womb, and again through feeding on breast milk.