Includes bibliographical references (p. 239-243) and index.

Introduction to the immune system : the nomenclature, general proper ties, and components of the immune system -- Innate immunity : the earl y defense against infections -- Antigen capture and presentation to lym phoctyes : what lymphocytes see -- Antigen recognition in the adaptive immune system : structure of lymphocyte antigen receptors and the devel opment of immune repertoires --

Cell-mediated immune responses : activation of T lymphocytes by cell -associated microbes -- Effector mechanisms of cell-mediated immunity : eradication of intracellular microbes -- Humoral immune responses : ac tivation of B lymphocytes and production of antibodies -- Effector mech anisms of humoral immunity : the elimination of extracellular microbes and toxins --

Immunological tolerance and autoimmunity : self-nonself discriminati on in the immune system and its failure -- Immune responses against tum ors and transplants : immunity to noninfectious transformed and foreign cells -- Hypersensitivity diseases : disorders caused by immune respon ses -- Congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies : diseases caused by defective immune responses.