Final answer:
The immune system can become altered through immunosuppression, immunosenescence, damage from other disorders, or genetic mutations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The immune system can become altered in several ways. One way is through immunosuppression, which is the decreased effectiveness of the immune system. This can happen due to factors such as infections, certain diseases like AIDS, stress, or the use of certain medications. Another way is through immunosenescence, which is the natural decline of the immune system as people age. Additionally, the immune system can be damaged by other disorders like obesity, alcoholism, or drug abuse. Genetic mutations can also cause inherited immunodeficiencies that affect specific components of the immune response.