In article <shopkins.23.000BB21A at fs1.ho.man.ac.uk>,
Steve Hopkins <shopkins at fs1.ho.man.ac.uk> wrote:
>In article <3gaae0$feh at agate.berkeley.edu> frauwirt at notmendel.Berkeley.EDU (Ken Frauwirth (BioKen)) writes:
>>From: frauwirt at notmendel.Berkeley.EDU (Ken Frauwirth (BioKen))
[cytokine discussion snipped]
>>>However, I agree that the immune system is a true organ system, and it
^^^^^^
>>seems to me that there is no real conceptual difference between cytokines
>>and other hormones.
>>>BioKen
>>Absolutely agree about the receptor point. But the immune system as an organ
>seems a bit much. Immunity is a physiological function. It seems rather like
>saying the reproductive system is an organ. The thymus may be an organ, but
>not the whole system (Which just about includes every cell in the body -
>interferon producers!?).
>>Steve Hopkins
You misread my post - I said that the immune system is a true organ *system*,
not an organ. It is composed of organs (lymph nodes, thymus, GALT, etc.).
It is sort of a gemisch of the circulatory (motile cells, organs connected by
vasculature) and the endocrine (chemicals secreted into the blood for
communication and to affect general physiology) systems.
BioKen
--
Ken Frauwirth (MiSTie #33025) _ _
frauwirt at mendel.berkeley.edu |_) * |/ (_ |\ |
Dept. of Molec. & Cell Bio. |_) | () |\ (_ | \|
Univ. of Cal., Berkeley Push the button...someone :(
