Immunology: Innate vs Adaptive Immunity

Innate Immunity vs Adaptive Immunity

• Innate immunity is non-specific, acting as the first line of defense against pathogens.
• Adaptive immunity is specific, remembering prior exposures to pathogens.
• Innate immunity has a fast response time, while adaptive immunity is slower.
• Innate immunity has low potency, where adaptive immunity has high potency.
• Innate immunity lacks memory, while adaptive immunity has memory of pathogens.

Definition of Terms

• Immunology: The study of the body's reactions to foreign substances.
• Immunity: Resistance to disease, specifically infectious disease. It's the body's defense mechanisms against foreign substances and pathogens.
• Innate Immunity: Body's natural ability to fight against pathogens (non-specific)
• Adaptive Immunity: Immunity that's acquired or strengthened after specific exposure to pathogens (specific)
• Antigens: Substances that provoke an immune response.
• Immunogens: Any substance that induces an immune response.
• Antibodies: Proteins produced by the immune system in response to an antigen.
• Phagocytosis: The process of cells engulfing and destroying pathogens.

Cells Involved

• Leukocytes: White blood cells. Include macrophages, mast cells, dendritic cells, B cells, T cells, and NK cells.
• B cells: Produce antibodies
• T cells: A crucial part of adaptive immunity, with various subtypes (helper, cytotoxic, regulatory).
• NK cells: Kill infected cells directly without prior exposure to the specific pathogen.

Immunity

• Innate examples: physical barriers (skin, mucous membranes), chemical barriers (pH, enzymes); cellular responses (macrophages, neutrophils).
• Adaptive examples: cell-mediated immunity (T cell responses); antibody-mediated immunity (B cell responses leading to antibody production).

Types of Immunity (Active/Passive)

• Active immunity: Develops after exposure to a pathogen or through vaccination, producing memory cells.
• Passive immunity: Temporary immunity provided by antibodies produced by another source, like from mother to child.

Lymphocytes

• Types: T cells, B cells, NK cells
• Functions: Different types are responsible for different aspects of immunity.
• T-helper cells
• T-cytotoxic Cells:
• B-cells: Produce antibodies
• Natural Killer (NK) cells: Kill virus-infected cells and tumor cells.

Other Cells

• Monocytes
• Macrophages
• Mast cells
• Dendritic cells

Other Information

• Different parts of the immune response, like the external and internal defense systems, are important for overall health.