Immunity is defined as the resistance offered by the host against microorganisms or any other foreign substance(s). Immunity can be broadly classified into two types based on its specificity; less specific innate immunity, which is present right from birth, and more specific acquired or adaptive immunity acquired during life. Innate immunity provides the first line of defense against infection. The cellular and molecular components of innate immunity are uniform to all species and are present before the onset of infections. The innate immune system is not specific to particular pathogens, and it recognizes molecular structures unique to microbes called pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) via pattern recognition receptors (PRR). The innate immune system aims to eliminate microbes and other foreign particles using:
In general, our innate immune system clears most of the microorganisms before they activate the adaptive immune system. Adaptive ImmunityWhen pathogens breach or resist the innate immune system, specific and more robust adaptive immunity comes into play to clear such pathogens. Generally, an adaptive immune response against infection is seen after 5 to 6 days of exposure to a particular antigen. Adaptive immunity is capable of recognizing and selectively eliminating specific foreign microorganisms. Unlike innate immune responses, adaptive immune responses are not the same in all members of a species. Adaptive immunity displays four characteristics attributes: Antigenic specificityAdaptive immunity responds to the challenge with high specificity and the remarkable property of “memory.” Cells or components of the adaptive immune system can distinguish subtle differences among antigens. For example, antibodies can distinguish between two protein molecules that differ in only a single amino acid. DiversityThe immune system can generate tremendous diversity in its recognition molecules, allowing it to recognize billions of unique structures on foreign antigens. Immunologic memoryExposure to the same antigen in the future results in a quicker and more robust immune response because of immunological memory. Because of immunologic memory, the secondary immune response is quicker and heightened than the primary immune response, and there is a life-long memory against many infections such as measles. Self/nonself recognitionThe adaptive immune system typically responds only to foreign antigens, indicating that it is capable of self/nonself recognition. There are two types of adaptive immune responses, humoral or antibody-mediated immunity, and cell-mediated immunity. Differences between Innate Immunity and Adaptive ImmunitySome of the major differences between Innate Immunity and Adaptive Immunity are summarized in the table below.
Acharya Tankeshwar Hello, thank you for visiting my blog. I am Tankeshwar Acharya. Blogging is my passion. As an asst. professor, I am teaching microbiology and immunology to medical and nursing students at PAHS, Nepal. I have been working as a microbiologist at Patan hospital for more than 10 years. Recent Posts
Cells of the Immune System The immune system consists of many different organs, tissues, and cells scattered throughout the body but connected via blood vessels or lymphatic channels. These cells communicate with each other...
Primary vs. Secondary Immune Response The initial encounter of a naïve immune-competent lymphocyte with an antigen induces a primary immune response; a later contact of the host with the same antigen will induce a more rapid and... What is the difference between innate immunity and adaptive immunity quizlet?The innate immune response immediately, and non specifically, contains the infection while the adaptive immune response takes days to become activated to eliminate the infection.
What are the main differences between innate and adaptive immunity B on which type of immunity do vaccines work?1. Innate immunity is something already present in the body. Adaptive immunity is created in response to exposure to a foreign substance. 2.
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