http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/cub_/lessons/cub_human/cub_human_lesson10.xmllessontext/xmlIntegrated Teaching and Learning Program, immune systemvirusthymuslymph systemwhite blood cellsT-cellsvaccineantibodiesastronautimmunitybacteriaAntibioticsAntibodiesB-cellsBacteriaBone MarrowComplement SystemImmune SystemLymphLymph SystemLymphocytesPathogenSpleenT-cellsThymusVaccineVirusWhite Blood Cells

This lesson describes the major components and functions of the immune system and the role of engineers in keeping the body healthy (e.g., vaccinations and antibiotics, among other things). This lesson also discusses how an astronaut’s immune system is suppressed during spaceflight due to stress and other environmental factors.

Chemical engineers study the immune system in order to develop treatments for people with compromised immunity. Vaccinations, antibiotics, disinfectants, and sterilizers are designed by engineers in order to help keep people healthy. Additionally, environmental engineers work on keeping the air we breathe and the water we drink free of toxins via air purifiers and water filters. Aerospace engineers need to understand the immune system and how it is affected in space in order to prepare for longer missions (while astronauts are further away from the medical resources on Earth). Describe the basic functions of the immune system.List several invaders of the immune system, including viruses and bacteria.Describe what happens to the immune system in space.Give examples of engineering innovations related to the immune system. 15TeachEngineering.orgTeresa EllisDenali LanderMalinda Schaefer ZarskeJanet Yowellhttp://spaceresearch.nasa.gov/research_projects/immune_12-2002.htmlhttp://www3.niaid.nih.gov/http://aidshistory.nih.gov/discovery_of_HIV/images/budding.gifhttp://www.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/v37_3_04/images/a02_bacteria_full.jpghttp://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5451-Immunizationa1.htm?s_cid=mm5451-Immunizationa1_ehttp://www.nih.gov/news/WordonHealth/oct2000/stressfigure.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_systemhttp://www.lbl.gov/Publications/Currents/Archive/view-assets/Oct-03-2003/t-cell2.jpgS11417F6International_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyE. Technological advances have made it possible to create new devices, to repair or replace certain parts of the body, and to provide a means for mobility. 35S11416E7International_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyF. A subsystem is a system that operates as a part of another system. 35S1142559ColoradoScienceb. Analyze and interpret data to generate evidence that human systems are interdependent 55S114255AColoradoSciencec. Assess further scientific explanations regarding basic human body system functions 55United StatesCopyright 2012 - Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulderhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2011-03-305Teacher