What is the difference between innate immunity and adaptive immunity?
A.
Innate immunity is present at birth and provides immediate, non-specific protection against pathogens while adaptive immunity is developed over time and provides specific protection against particular pathogens.
B.
Innate immunity involves the recognition of specific pathogens while adaptive immunity involves the recognition of general paterns of pathogens.
C.
Innate immunity involves the production of antibodies while adaptive immunity involves the activation of phagocytes.
D.
Innate immunity is activated by the lymphatic system while adaptive immunity is activated by the circulatory system.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Innate immunity is present at birth and provides immediate, non-specific protection against pathogens while adaptive immunity is developed over time and provides specific protection against particular pathogens.
Explanation:
Innate immunity and adaptive immunity are the two main components of the body’s immune system, each with distinct characteristics and roles in protecting the body from infections and diseases.
Innate Immunity:
- Presence at Birth: Innate immunity is present from birth and is the body’s first line of defense against pathogens. It is always active and ready to respond immediately to infections.
- Non-Specific Response: Innate immunity provides a broad, non-specific response to pathogens. This means it does not target specific pathogens but rather recognizes and responds to general features common to many pathogens, such as bacterial cell walls or viral RNA.
- Components: The innate immune system includes physical barriers like the skin and mucous membranes, chemical barriers like stomach acid and enzymes, and cellular components such as phagocytes (e.g., neutrophils, macrophages), natural killer cells, and dendritic cells. These components act quickly to prevent the spread and movement of foreign invaders throughout the body.
- Immediate Response: The innate immune system responds within minutes to hours of pathogen exposure, providing an immediate defense that is essential for controlling infections in their early stages.
Adaptive Immunity:
- Development Over Time: Unlike innate immunity, adaptive immunity develops over time, typically after exposure to a specific pathogen or through vaccination. It is not present at birth but is acquired as the immune system encounters various antigens (foreign substances that provoke an immune response).
- Specific Response: Adaptive immunity is highly specific, targeting particular pathogens based on their unique antigens. This specificity is mediated by lymphocytes, primarily B cells and T cells.
- Memory: A key feature of adaptive immunity is its ability to “remember” previous encounters with specific pathogens, leading to a faster and stronger response upon subsequent exposures. This is the basis of immunity following infections or vaccinations.
- Antibodies and Cellular Responses: Adaptive immunity involves the production of antibodies by B cells, which specifically target and neutralize pathogens, and the activation of T cells, which can directly kill infected cells or help coordinate the immune response.
In summary, innate immunity provides immediate, non-specific defense mechanisms that are essential for initial protection against infections, while adaptive immunity develops over time and provides a targeted, specific response with the ability to remember and respond more effectively to previously encountered pathogens.