Archived by Raymond J. Noonan, Ph.D., Health and Physical Education Department, Fashion Institute of Technology of the State University of New York (FIT-SUNY), and SexQuest/The Sex Institute, NYC, for the benefit of students and other researchers interested in the human aspects of the space life sciences. Return to first page for background information on these pages.
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
The immune system defends the body against disease. Lymphocytes are one type of white blood cell that helps the body resist infection by recognizing harmful foreign substances, such as bacteria, and eliminating them. Analysis of blood from crew members on previous Shuttle missions revealed decreases in the number of circulating lymphocytes, and post-flight studies showed that the lymphocytes were not as effective in responding to challenges. However, astronauts have shown no increased susceptibility to disease, and lymphocyte counts returned to normal a few weeks after landing. In spite of this, the changes in the immune system must be understood and controlled, if possible, because such changes could have undesirable consequences on longer space missions.Space flight may reduce white blood cell counts for one (or more) of several reasons. First, microgravity itself might cause a decrease in lymphocyte production or an increase in lymphocyte destruction. Second, the stress associated with the mission, particularly the launch and landing phases of the mission, might alter lymphocyte count or function. Studies of stress on Earth suggest that the second reason is plausible. It has been extremely difficult to separate the direct effect of microgravity from the indirect effects of stress. Third, space radiation may suppress the immune system by destroying lymphocyte cells.
Questions
You can go back to where you came from, or jump back to the beginning.The next section is about the musculoskeletal system.
Last modified: Oct 8, 1994Author: Ken Jenks
Raymond J. Noonan, Ph.D. Health and Physical Education Department Fashion Institute of Technology of the State University of New York (FIT-SUNY); SexQuest/The Sex Institute, NYC P.O. Box 20166, New York, NY 10014 (212) 217-7460 |
Author of: R. J. Noonan. (1998). A Philosophical Inquiry into the Role of Sexology in Space Life Sciences Research and Human Factors Considerations for Extended Spaceflight. Dr. Ray Noonan’s Dissertation Information Pages: [Abstract] [Table of Contents] [Preface] [AsMA 2000 Presentation Abstract] |
First published on the Web on June 14, 1998