Your immune system’s ability to defend against foreign invaders is referred to as immunity. This capacity for self-defense is both inherited and learned.
The immune system knowledge you are born with is called innate immunity.
A portion of your immune system cells come preprogrammed with a set of instructions of how to respond to potential threats.
Adaptive immunity is the immune system knowledge you gain throughout your life. Each encounter with a new invader presents an opportunity for your adaptive immune system cells to learn—to build their defenses in a specific manner so they can deal with future threats more efficiently.
Innate Immunity
- Consists of physical barriers (e.g., skin and hair), chemical barriers (e.g., mucus and stomach acid), commensal (good) bacteria, and immune system cells (e.g., neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, and NK cells)
- Is a semi-specific and widely distributed form of immunity (provides a systemic response to any incoming invader)
- Provides a first line of defense against invaders
- Helps activate an adaptive immune system response
Adaptive Immunity
- Consists of immune system cells, including B cells and T cells
- Is a highly specific form of immunity (provides a response to particular invaders)
- Provides immunological memory—the ability to respond more rapidly and effectively to invaders that have been encountered previously
- Can be acquired naturally or clinically
- Can be classified as active or passive
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