Abstract
The central role played by the immune system is recognition; it recognizes self and discriminates against non-self elements. Non-self elements represent anything that is foreign and different from an individual’s own constituents. When non-self elements such as foreign cells, exogenous microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) and non-living substances (e.g. chemicals) invade the body, the immune system mounts a response in defence of the integrity of the body. The immune response can involve both humoral and cellular components.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1992 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Wong, S., Fournier, M., Coderre, D., Banska, W., Krzystyniak, K. (1992). Environmental immunotoxicology. In: Animal Biomarkers as Pollution Indicators. Chapman & Hall Ecotoxicology Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2346-4_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2346-4_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-5036-4
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-2346-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive