Understanding Immunity and Infectious Diseases

The two types of antigens mentioned are self antigens and non-self antigens.

The innate immune response refers to the body's initial, nonspecific defense mechanisms, including physical barriers (skin, hair, cilia), chemical barriers (stomach acid, lysosome, mucus), and cellular responses (phagocytes). The adaptive immune response, on the other hand, is a specific defense mechanism involving active (memory cells produced) and passive (no memory cells produced) responses, triggered by exposure to pathogens or through vaccination.

Infectious diseases can spread through droplets or fluids, and they can spread epidemically (in only a few regions) or pandemically (in most regions of the world).

<p>The immune system recognizes the difference between self and non-self antigens based on the presence of protein molecules (antigens) on the surface of cells. Self antigens are substances produced by the body and do not stimulate the immune system, while non-self antigens are foreign proteins that trigger an immune response.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The three types of barriers in the innate immune response are physical barriers (skin, hair, cilia), chemical barriers (stomach acid, lysosome, mucus), and cellular responses (phagocytes, including neutrophils and monocytes).</p> Signup and view all the answers