Immune System Mix and Match Activity for Anatomy & Physiology or AP Biology

Get students active with these word and picture cards of the immune system! The immune system can be challenging for A&P and AP biology students. Just keeping the innate vs adaptive systems straight is hard enough but the many cells and their integration can be overwhelming! Additionally, many classrooms lack sufficient models that allow students to work “hands on” with immune system concepts and instead instructors are left “just lecturing” over this important system. This activity helps students learn and master the many parts of the complex immune system, the specifics of the humoral response and the steps of cell-mediated immunity. Students can work individually or in teams, thereby promoting teamwork and discussion.

You will receive the following:

1. Powerpoint presentation (19 pages) with the cards to print, laminate and cut. The cards included are:

• Immune System Overview: 21 word cards to sort and organize all aspects of the vertebrate immune system. All these cards are editable so you can change the wording to suit your preference and textbook.
• Humoral Immune System: 5 word cards with description of events taking place as B cells make antibodies. The word cards are editable. 8 picture cards are included to match to the word cards. Students must study these images carefully to reinforce detail. These picture cards are original images and are not editable.
• Cell-mediated Immune System: 10 word cards with description of events taking including the activation of helper T cells, interaction of T cells with B cells and the role of cytotoxic T cells. The word cards are editable. 10 picture cards are included to match to the word cards. Students must study these images carefully to reinforce detail. These picture cards are original images and are not editable.

2. Student worksheet and instructor key (7 pages). This is included as both a .pdf file and a Word document. This worksheet guides students through various activities using the cards and has additional review questions.

This activity can be used in many ways:

During the initial instruction of the immune system: As instructors lecture on the immune system, you can stop periodically to have students do a portion of this activity to reinforce the concepts that have just been covered. You can make this as a quick, short activity and use only the cards or a longer, more thorough activity in using the review questions. Additionally, you can have students do this with or without their textbook, depending on your goals for the lesson.

Review after Instruction: After a presentation of the immune system, the cards can be used to help students master and memorize the concepts. This is perfect for a hand-on “lab” or as a review assignment for upcoming exams.

Exams: You can even use these cards on lab practical exams!

Grades: This activity has worked well with high school students in AP Biology, General Biology or Anatomy and Physiology. Additionally, this activity has been used in college level Anatomy and Physiology courses. It is especially well-suited for a community college course in Anatomy and Physiology that serve as pre-requisites for nursing and other allied health fields.

Time: Due to its versatility, students could spend only 30 minutes or up to 90 minutes depending on how the instructor prefers to utilize the activity. It can also be split over two to three class periods to reinforce concepts and improve mastery. It has high repeat-ability for students to measure their mastery.

Student Preparation: Students will have at least introductory knowledge of the immune system.

Standards: Life Science: Comparative Anatomy and Physiology

Grades 9-12: AP Biology

· Big Idea 2: Essential knowledge 2.D.4: Plants and animals have a variety of chemical defenses against infections that affect dynamic homeostasis.

· Big Idea 3: Essential knowledge 3.D.2: Cells communicate with each other through direct contact with other cells or from a distance via chemical signaling.

· Big Idea 4: Essential knowledge 4.C.1: Variation in molecular units provides cells with a wider range of functions.

College Anatomy and Physiology courses: – Use as a review exercise

Materials Needed: only a flat clean space to lay out cards (once they have been printed, laminated and cut.) I recommend having a set of cards for every group of 4-6 students.


I’d love to hear your feedback on this activity!