Jorge is allergic to peanuts. Explain how the immune system will react when Jorge eats a peanut.

Ingestion: When Jorge eats a peanut, the proteins in the peanut are broken down during digestion into smaller components, including allergens.

Recognition: Jorge's immune system recognizes these allergens as harmful substances, even though they are not. This is due to a mistake in the immune system's recognition process.

Activation: The immune system responds by producing antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies are specific to the peanut allergen.

Release of Histamines: The IgE antibodies bind to immune cells called mast cells and basophils. When the peanut allergen enters the body again, it binds to the IgE antibodies on these cells, triggering them to release chemicals like histamine.

Allergic Reaction: The release of these chemicals causes an allergic reaction. This can result in various symptoms such as itching, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.

Memory: The immune system remembers this allergen. So, the next time Jorge eats a peanut, his immune system will react in the same way, often more quickly and severely.