Your Immune Systemthe "Department of Defense" for Your BodyLearn and EARN A REWARD!!

Antibodies Attack Cancer Cell

Your body’s immune system protects you against bad germs (called ANTIGENS) every day. In most cases, the immune system does a great job of keeping people healthy but sometimes problems can lead to illness and infection.

The immune system includes cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body. The cells involved are white blood cells (called LEUKOCYTES), which seek out and destroy the antigens.   During this process, the white blood cells produce special proteins (called ANTIBODIES) to fight the antigens. 

Once produced, antibodies continue to exist in a person's body, so that if the same antigen is presented to the immune system again, the antibodies are already there to do their job. So if someone gets sick with a certain disease, like chickenpox, that person typically doesn't get sick from it again.

This is also how immunizations prevent diseases. An immunization introduces the body to an antigen in a way that doesn't make someone sick, but does allow the body to produce antibodies that will then protect the person from future attack by the germ or substance that produces that particular disease.

Your body – an amazing creation!

Checkout this video to learn more about your immune system and ways to stay healthy!

Immune System Video Link

Do some research and EARN A REWARD!

Students in Alabama are typically required to have the following immunizations before entering school:

• Diptheria
• Tetanus
• Pertussis
• Polio
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Measles
• Varicella

Pick any two of the diseases listed above.  Do some research on each of the two diseases you select to find out the following:

1. What is the Cause of the Disease?  (how do you get the disease?)
2. What are the Symptoms of the Disease?
3. What is the Treatment if you have the Disease?

Record your answers on paper and turn in to Mrs D by class on Friday, 15 March to EARN A REWARD!!

Meteor Strike in Russia!Think Like a Scientist and EARN A REWARD(or even help save the earth!)

On Friday, Feb 15^th 2013, a meteor rattled Siberia injuring hundreds of people.  The earth has had many meteor strikes over the centuries but now a group of young scientists and investors are working to develop a space telescope that would scan the solar system for dangers.   

Edward Lu, a former NASA astronaut and Google executive leads a team called the B612 Foundation: “This is a wake-up call from space. We’ve got to pay attention to what’s out there.”

Astronomers know of no asteroids or comets that pose a major threat to the planet. But NASA estimates that fewer than 10 percent of the big dangers have been discovered.

 “Our job is to be the first line of defense, and we take that very seriously,” James Green, the director of planetary science at NASA headquarters, said in an interview Friday after the Russian strike. “No one living on this planet has ever before been hurt. That’s historic.”   Dr. Green added that the Russian episode was sure to energize scientists and that an analysis of the meteor’s remains could help reveal clues about future threats.

Planning is underway to launch a large telescope known as Sentinel that can find 90 percent of the asteroids larger than 460 feet in diameter that pass through the Earth’s part of the solar system. They also want to discover smaller asteroids down to a diameter of 100 feet.   The space telescope is to have a diameter of 20 inches.  The system could be ready for launching by 2017 or 2018.   Click on the link below to watch a video about the Sentinel project.

Sentinel Project Video

Information for this blog entry from New York Times article appearing on Feb 17, 2013, “Vindication for Entrepreneurs Watching  Sky: Yes, It Can Fall”.

 

EARN  A REWARD!!!

Do some research at the library or online to find answers to the following questions.  Write your answers on paper and give to Mrs D not later than Monday, Feb 25^th to EARN A REWARD!

• Where did the meteor strike in Russia?  Provide the name of the city or area.

• The earth has had many meteor strikes – list the locations of at least five “major” meteor strikes.  In each case, the crater must be 5 kilometers or greater in diameter. 
• Besides the existence of a crater, name at least two other pieces of evidence that a scientist might find that would indicate a meteor had struck the area. 
• Think Like a Scientist….  When a meteor strikes the earth, what is the result?   Consider the ground, air, water, weather, wildlife.  List at least five things that you believe could happen.
• Think Like a Scientist….  If you were in charge of designing a system to prevent meteors from striking the earth, how would it work?  Describe your system in 100 words or less.

Are You Ready for the Georgia Aquarium? They are Getting Ready for Us!

The Georgia Aquarium is getting ready for our visit.  Click on this link to learn more!

Hello to GW Long Students from the Georgia Aquarium !