Immune system modeling
Students will model an antigen-antibody response to show how adaptive immunity targets pathogens.
Comparison diagram of primary vs. secondary immune response with labeled antibody levels and timescales, plus model notes describing how matched antibodies neutralize the pathogen.
- 1Do thisStudents will model an antigen-antibody response to show how adaptive immunity targets pathogens.
- 2Use this resource
- 3Submit thisLab report: Comparison diagram of primary vs. secondary immune response with labeled antibody levels and timescales, plus model notes describing how matched antibodies neutralize the pathogen.
- 4Submit it here
- 1CMSD website. Go to clevelandmetroschools.org and click the Clever button.
- 2Clever. Clever opens. Sign in if it asks.
- 3Microsoft (district) login. Use your district Microsoft account (the one for school).
- 4Schoology. Open Schoology, then your class, then Assignments, and find the file named below.
The file to submit is named: Human Anatomy & Physiology (Human Body Systems) › Unit 3.2 Body Guards: Skin/accessory organs, lymphatic and immune systems, pathogens, immune cells, antigen response. › Lab reportOpen Schoology
- CER:
- Claim, Evidence, Reasoning — make a claim, back it with evidence, explain your reasoning.
- SOP:
- Standard Operating Procedure — the exact steps to follow (especially in a lab).
- Tracker:
- Your PLTW progress log where you record completed evidence.
- myPLTW:
- The PLTW course site where you do the online activities — you open it through Schoology.
Minute-by-minute · 80-minute block
💡 Big idea: Antibody-antigen specificity is the molecular basis of adaptive immunity and explains why vaccines produce lasting protection.
- 0-10Quick review: antigen recognition, antibody binding, B cell role
- 10-22Build model: assign antibody and antigen shape cards; test matching
- 22-42First-exposure simulation: introduce antigen, trace slow primary response, record timeline
- 42-58Second-exposure simulation: reintroduce antigen, trace fast memory response, record timeline
- 58-70Draw comparison diagram: primary vs. secondary response with labeled timescales
- 70-80Submit comparison diagram and model notes
- • The adaptive immune system is essentially a molecular lock-and-key system operating at massive scale.
- • Today you will make that invisible process visible using a physical model.
- • Running the model through two exposures shows exactly why your second infection with the same pathogen is milder.
- • Your notebook record of both exposures is the artifact you will use in tomorrow's CER.
- 1Review antigen recognition and antibody binding.
- 2Build a model pairing antibody shapes to antigen shapes.
- 3Simulate a first exposure and a memory response.
- 4Show how matched antibodies neutralize the pathogen.
- 5Record how the response speeds up on second exposure.
- • Model shows specific antibody-antigen matching.
- • Notes describe a faster secondary memory response.
- • Antibody shape is complementary to a specific antigen epitope; only matched pairs bind effectively.
- • On first exposure, the adaptive response is slow (days); memory B cells accelerate the response on re-exposure.
- • This lock-and-key specificity is the mechanism that vaccines exploit to pre-train memory cells.
Your PLTW work today
Unit 3.2 Body Guards: Skin/accessory organs, lymphatic and immune systems, pathogens, immune cells, antigen response. · Immune system modeling
Day 3 of this lesson. Open this exact section in myPLTW (reached through Schoology), then do the work below.
Do this: Complete any modeling or antigen-antibody activity check-in in Lesson 3.2 Body Guards on myPLTW that accompanies today's immune-response model build.
Mark the modeling task complete in myPLTW after submitting your antigen-antibody model diagram.
Immunity task is done; today the modeling task should show complete.
Note or screenshot of completion status for your tracker.
All PLTW activities are completed inside the PLTW course environment — this page only gives direction. Submit producibles on Schoology.
Today's PLTW tracker
Check things off as you work, then submit. This tells Mr. Mendoza how you're doing so he can help the class. It does not replace turning in your producible on Schoology.
Use the code Mr. Mendoza gave you, not your name. Saved on this device.
Unit 3.2 Body Guards: Skin/accessory organs, lymphatic and immune systems, pathogens, immune cells, antigen response. · Immune system modeling
Complete any modeling or antigen-antibody activity check-in in Lesson 3.2 Body Guards on myPLTW that accompanies today's immune-response model build.
Immunity task is done; today the modeling task should show complete.
This is how Mr. Mendoza sees the class keeping pace with PLTW. Be honest, it only helps if it is accurate.
🎯 Students will model an antigen-antibody response to show how adaptive immunity targets pathogens.
- Review antigen recognition and antibody binding.
- Build a model pairing antibody shapes to antigen shapes.
- Simulate a first exposure and a memory response.
- Show how matched antibodies neutralize the pathogen.
- Record how the response speeds up on second exposure.
Lab report: Comparison diagram of primary vs. secondary immune response with labeled antibody levels and timescales, plus model notes describing how matched antibodies neutralize the pathogen.
Submit on SchoologyUpload by 11:29 PM for full credit.
| Task | Who |
|---|---|
| Review antigen recognition and antibody binding. | _______ |
| Build a model pairing antibody shapes to antigen shapes. | _______ |
| Simulate a first exposure and a memory response. | _______ |
| Show how matched antibodies neutralize the pathogen. | _______ |
| Record how the response speeds up on second exposure. | _______ |
Working solo? Put your own name in "Who" for every row.
- Model shows specific antibody-antigen matching.
- Notes describe a faster secondary memory response.
Resources & readings
Vetted readings and references for this unit. Use them to prepare, to catch up if you were absent, or to go deeper on today's target.
Lab & supplies
- • No chemical hazards in this activity; standard classroom behavior expectations apply.
- • Handle all shared materials with clean hands; use hand sanitizer at the start and end of class.
- • Return all model components to the designated container at the end of the period.
WebXam practice
Cumulative WebXam review
A quick mixed-review pulling questions from earlier units plus today, so the WebXam material stays fresh.
Where this leads — careers
What today's skills lead to. These are real health-science careers this course builds toward. Tap one to see, on the US Department of Labor's O*NET site, what the job actually involves, what it pays, and how fast it is growing.
What to do if you were absent
Run your antigen-antibody model through a first exposure and a second exposure, recording how memory speeds the response.
MedlinePlus: Immune System and DisordersThen submit your Lab report on Schoology.
Class still runs. Complete the online activity above (it's self-guided). Need the concept taught without a teacher? Use this authoritative explainer:
MedlinePlus: Immune System and DisordersOptional extra credit (async)
You've passed Unit 2, so the optional extra-credit track is open. Complete reserved-unit work from home (virtual labs included) for extra credit, all submitted on Schoology.
Open the extra-credit track- CompleteEvery required part of the artifact is present, nothing left blank.
- AccurateThe science and the data are correct and match the evidence.
- Scientific reasoningYou explain your claim with evidence and reasoning (CER), not just an answer.
- Professional communicationClear, organized, labeled, and written the way a clinician or scientist would.
- SubmittedTurned in the right way (Schoology for routine work) and confirmed.
Drop your Mon, Dec 7, 2026 · Immune system modeling here. Use a clear file name (your initials + project). Routine work still goes to Schoology (via the CMSD portal).
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