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High School

THE HUMAN IMMUNE SYSTEM (UNIT 1)
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Lesson 4

Defending Our DNA: How Cells Protect Against Foreign Genetic Material

Defending Our DNA: How Cells Protect Against Foreign Genetic Material

Lesson Questions

  • What are the different layers of protection that prevent foreign DNA from sources like bacteria, food and vaccines from damaging our own DNA?
  • How do the innate and adaptive immune systems work together with cellular level defenses to protect against foreign DNA?
  • Why is the ability to defend against foreign DNA important at the cellular, individual, generational, and evolutionary levels?   
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Lesson Resources

immune system webpage
Comprehensive human immune system overview (Webpage)
Vaccine ingredients: DNA (Webpage)
Vaccine Ingredients: DNA (Webpage)