Immunity

Immunity

Immunity

• Immunity is the ability of an organism to protect itself from pathogens or toxins.

: Types of Immune Systems

• There are two types of immune systems.

Innate Immunity

• Innate immunity is genetic or natural immunity that one is born with.

  • It is written in one's genes and offers lifelong protection.

  • The response is fast-acting and non-specific.

Physical Barriers

• Physical barriers like skin and eyelashes protect the body from invasion.

Chemical Barriers

• Chemical barriers like tears, mucous, and stomach acid can destroy harmful agents.

Cellular Defenses

• Cellular defenses of the innate immune response are non-specific.

  • They identify and neutralize potentially dangerous pathogens.

Hallmarks of Inflammation

• Five hallmarks of inflammation are fever, redness, swelling, pain, and loss of function.

Adaptive Immunity

• Adaptive immunity is acquired immunity to a specific pathogen.

  • It involves clonal expansion of T and B lymphocytes to neutralize antigens.

Humoral Response

• The humoral response involves the production and secretion of antibodies against specific antigens.

Cell-Mediated Response

• Cell-mediated response occurs when cytotoxic cells defend the body against infection.

  • Development of B and T cells, memory cells, and plasma cells