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October 01, 2001

You can't see it but you can...

Check it out! You thought your immune system was some microscopic component of the mysterious body humors flowing hither and thither. It is much more high tech than that...and smart. Watch here as a leukocyte (neutrophil) chases and catches a rogue bacteria. Things to look for - the directed, specific response to stimuli (the neutrophil is tracking and chasing the invader) and the single minded specificity of the chase. If you think behind the scenes for a moment, there is even more going on. Cell-cytoskeleton is dynamically altered to mobilize the cell, while chemotaxis receptors are working overtime following the bacteria. Now just think, your own body cells are squirming around right now fighting invaders and mopping up infection. Incredible!

Posted by clappstar at October 1, 2001 11:48 AM

Comments

Upon further review, Jonathan's above explanation remains as stated.

Posted by: Grandpa Bentley at November 4, 2001 05:56 PM

This all sounds like a bunch of scientific mumbo-jumbo. I don't believe a word of it.

Posted by: Dhileep at October 1, 2001 01:52 PM