Free Autoimmune Diseases revision notes for OCR A Level Biology – covering specification point 4.1.1(k).
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, mistaking self-antigens as foreign antigens.
The causes of this are not always known, but may include genetic and environmental triggers.
Immunosuppressants are the most common treatment, but have side effects (e.g. vulnerability to pathogens).
Rheumatoid arthritis is the named example you are expected to know, characterised by membranes around joints being targeted, leading to pain, swelling and inflammation.
