Lymphocytes, which resemble blood plasma in composition, are manufactured in the bone marrow and multiply in the thymus and spleen. They circulate in the bloodstream, penetrating the walls of the blood capillaries to reach the cells of the tissues. When particular lymphocytes recognize a foreign molecular pattern (termed an antigen), they release antibodies in great numbers. Antibodies attach themselves to the antigen and in that way mark them for destruction by other substances in the body’s defense arsenal. These are primarily complement, a complex of enzymes that make holes in foreign cells, and phagocytes, cells that engulf and digest foreign matter.
- resemble [riˈzembl] v.类似于
- plasma [ˈplæzmə] n.血浆
- bone marrow [bəun - ˈmærəu] n.骨髓
- multiply [ˈmʌltiplai] v. 增加
- thymus [ˈθaiməs] n.胸腺
- spleen [spli:n] n. 脾
- circulate [ˈsə:kjuleit] v. 循环
- penetrate [ˈpenitreit] v. 穿透
- antigen [ˈæntidʒən] n.抗原
- antibody [ˈæntiˌbɔdi] n.抗体
- attach to [əˈtætʃ - tu:] v. 把……放在
- arsenal [ˈɑ:sənəl] n. 武器库
- complement [ˈkɔmplimənt] n. 补体
- enzyme [ˈenzaim] n.酶
- phagocyte [ˈfæɡəusait] n.噬菌细胞
- engulf [inˈɡʌlf] v.吞没
- digest [daiˈdʒest] v. 消化
