Basic Immunology: Functions and Disorders of the Immune System, 6th Edition

Basic Immunology: Functions and Disorders of the Immune System, 6th Edition is a focused textbook introducing the fundamental principles of immunology and their relationship to human health and disease. Published by Elsevier, it explains how the immune system recognizes threats, coordinates protective responses, and contributes to immune-related disorders.

With 336 pages, the book provides a manageable foundation for students studying immunology, microbiology, medicine, and biomedical sciences.

About the Book

The immune system protects the body against microorganisms, foreign substances, and abnormal cells through a coordinated network of cells, tissues, molecules, and signaling pathways.

Understanding these mechanisms is essential for studying infectious diseases, vaccination, autoimmune disorders, allergies, and immunodeficiency.

Innate and Adaptive Immunity

The book introduces the two major components of the immune response:

• Innate immunity, which provides rapid, nonspecific protection.
• Adaptive immunity, which produces highly specific responses and immunological memory.

Understanding how these systems work together provides the foundation for modern immunology.

Immune Cells and Molecules

Immune responses depend on specialized cells and molecular mediators.

Important components include lymphocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, antibodies, cytokines, complement proteins, and antigen receptors.

Understanding their functions helps explain how the immune system detects and responds to threats.

Antibodies and Immune Responses

Antibodies play an important role in recognizing and eliminating foreign substances.

The book explores concepts related to antigen recognition, antibody production, B cells, T cells, and cellular immune responses, providing a foundation for understanding adaptive immunity.

Immunity and Infectious Diseases

The immune system is closely connected to microbiology and infectious disease.

Understanding host defenses and immune responses to bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites helps explain why infections develop and how the body attempts to control them.

Disorders of the Immune System

Immune responses can sometimes become excessive, misdirected, or insufficient.

The book addresses major categories of immune disorders, including:

• Hypersensitivity and allergic reactions
• Autoimmune diseases
• Immunodeficiency disorders
• Abnormal immune responses

These concepts connect basic immunology with clinical medicine.

Vaccination and Immune Memory

Adaptive immunity allows the body to develop immunological memory following infection or vaccination.

Understanding immune memory provides an important foundation for studying vaccines, protective immunity, and infectious disease prevention.

Who Is This Book For?

Basic Immunology: Functions and Disorders of the Immune System, 6th Edition can be useful for:

• Medical students
• Immunology students
• Microbiology students
• Biomedical science students
• Biology students
• Nursing and health science students
• Students studying infectious diseases
• Healthcare professionals reviewing immunology

Final Thoughts

Basic Immunology: Functions and Disorders of the Immune System, 6th Edition provides a clear foundation in the principles of the immune system and their clinical applications.

The book connects innate and adaptive immunity, immune cells, antibodies, immune responses, infectious diseases, vaccination, and immune disorders, helping students understand how normal immune functions relate to disease.

With 336 pages, it is a focused resource for building a solid understanding of immunology without the size of a highly specialized reference.

Book Information

Title: Basic Immunology: Functions and Disorders of the Immune System
Edition: 6th Edition
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication Date: April 24, 2019
Language: English
Print Length: 336 pages
ISBN-10: 0323549438
ISBN-13: 978-0323549431
Subject: Immunology / Immune System / Immunopathology / Infectious Diseases / Biomedical Sciences

Basic Immunology: Functions and Disorders of the Immune System, 6th Edition introduces the essential principles of innate and adaptive immunity, immune cells, antibodies, immune responses, vaccination, and immune disorders, making it a useful study resource for students of medicine, microbiology, immunology, and biomedical sciences.