What is an allergy?

Allergy is the result of the immune system overreacting to harmless stimuli in the environment.

Examples of stimuli or 'allergens' include pollen, dust, eggs and milk.

The body recognises these harmless allergens as foreign, which leads to white blood cells releasing antibodies.

Antibodies then trigger mast cells (another form of immune cell) to produce histamine and this promotes inflammation. You may have seen how inflammation manifests in your own body following injury or infection. Typically the inflamed part of the body becomes hot, red, swollen and very painful.

Answered by Saadiyah K. Biology tutor

3174 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

How are red blood cells well adapted to their function?


Describe the process of DNA replication in a Eukaryotic cell. (6 Marks)


Explain why biological enzymes would stop working at temperatures higher than 45 degrees Celcius.


Not all mutations lead to changed in amino acid sequence of polypeptides. Explain why.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy