Introductory immunobiology / Huw Davies.

This book is intended as a foundation text for students first encountering the topic of immunity as part of a broader course of study. It follows a logical, intuitive path and does not require its readers to possess any pre-existing conceptual framework. Partuclar emphasis is placed on the mammalian immune system because this lies at the heart of immunological understanding. Its place in the larger scheme of defence reactions ? inflammation, coagulation and immunity ? is similarly emphasized. At the same time, comparisons are made with the immune systems of non-mammalian vertebrates, and with some invertebrates, to reveal the evolutionary roots that underlie more complex mammalian systems. Boxed items in the text serve to highlight relevant biological principles such as polymorphism, inbreeding, gene cloning and molecular evolution, and to illustrate major types of escape strategies used by microorganisms to emphasize the concept of co-evolution. This brief and readable book is decorated with numerous aids; periodic summaries, self-assessment questions (with answers provided), selected further readings, cross-references, a glossary and helpful appendices, all designed to ease the difficulties students frequently face when tackling this exciting but demanding discipline.