C. Diseases & Marker Proteins ANSWERS

     C. 3.  In some diseases, the body mistakenly considers part of itself
                as foreign (P R O T E I N S  known as antigens) and starts to attack
                these body parts. 

                Some diseases are known as  A U T O - immune diseases. 
                Examples of these dangerous diseases include ...

                 (a)   MS attacks nerve cells of the brain & resulting in   paralysis.
                        MS is an auto-immune disease known as M U L T I P L E   
                        S C L E R O S I S

                   (b)    Lupus usually attacks W O M E N (see the three photos).
                        In advanced cases, such as those pictured, it forms a red rash
                        around the  E Y E S.   This auto-immune rash reminded people
                       of the bite of a W O L F  and the word Lupus is the Latin word
                       for  W O L F.

                  (c)    Crippling in F I N G E R S, H A N D S  and K N E E S.  These are
                       the crippling effects of  R H E U M A T O I D    A R T H R I T I S,
                       another of the auto-immune diseases.  

                 To reduce the immune system's attack, doctors often prescribe
                 medications.  These medications are often successful, but now with
                 a weakened immune system, the person is more vulnerable to
                 the attacks of harmful P A T H O G E N S. 
             

       C 4.   The immune system deals with specific identification proteins known
                 as  M A R K E R  proteins that are part of the CELL  M E M B R A N E 
                or a bacterial CELL  W A L L.  

                Marker proteins identify a cell as part of the host  O R G A N I S M.

                Marker  P R O T E I N S  from anybody other than you (except for
                an  I D E N T I C A L     T W I N) identify the cell as being foreign
                (an  A N T I G E N). 

                The presence of an Antigen triggers the  I M M U N E  system to attack
                the C E L L   on which the A N T I G E N S  are found.

        

     

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