ABSTRACT
Understanding the mechanisms of the immune function and the influence of aging thereon is not a simple matter. Immunological reactions are highly complex (Table 1). The immune system has the enormous task of protecting us from disease (Table 2) and that which is foreign, while avoiding harm to that which is self. It requires the participation of numerous humoral factors, cell types (Table 3), tissues, and organs (Table 4). Immunological reactions are under the sensitive control of a variety of chemical mediators (Table 5) and molecular interactions. To help appreciate the dynamic effects of aging on the immune system, we list some key terms and concepts in Table 6.
