How Much Do You Know about Innate and Adaptive Immunity?

The main function of the immune system is to defend the host against pathogens and toxins. The cells of the immune system remain as individual cells instead of forming organs. These immune cells are distributed throughout the body. However, these cells of the immune system work in a cooperative manner to accomplish their tasks to the human body. The unique feature of the immune system is that it can recognize its own molecules from foreign molecules. Generally, the immune response involves many key stages: pathogen recognition, activation and initiation, regulation, and the production of immune memory. The vertebrate immune system consists of two basic branches: Innate and adaptive immunity. Although these immunities have different effects, they usually work together to fight infections.

What is innate immunity?

The innate immune system, also called the non-specific immune system, is part of the immune system and provides the first line of defense against infection. The molecules and receptors of the immune system provide extensive protection. In fact, it is the natural immunity of all animals and plants. It produces a variety of molecules and can identify almost any invading pathogen.

Basically, the first response is slow and highly specific to invading pathogens. However, the response to the second attack was more rapid, which is the basis of the vaccine. The innate immune system includes different cells, such as eosinophils, monocytes, macrophages, natural killer cells, tor-like receptors (TLR), and a series of soluble mediators, such as the complement system.

What is adaptive immunity?

The adaptive or specific immune system mainly attacks specific invaders. It is composed of highly specialized cells, which are called thymus-derived T lymphocytes and bone marrow-derived B lymphocytes. These cells can recognize different foreign antigens in a very precise way, and have the ability to generate immune memory, so that they can recognize previously encountered pathogens.

There are two types of adaptive immunity: humoral immunity and cellular immunity. Antibody molecules secreted by B lymphocytes can neutralize extracellular pathogens and mediate humoral immunity, while T lymphocytes can clear infected cells and help other immune responses, thereby mediating cellular immunity.

What are the similarities between innate and adaptive immunity?

Innate immunity and adaptive immunity are two types of immune systems that exist in our body.

Both types of immune systems can fight pathogens and protect our bodies.

What is the difference between innate and adaptive immunity?

The main difference between innate immunity and adaptive immunity is that innate immunity is a rapid immune response that provides the first line of immune defense against infection, while adaptive immunity is a slow immune response mediated by T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes. In addition, innate immunity is present at birth, while adaptive immunity is formed after exposure to antigens.

In addition, innate immunity is non-specific and can act on a variety of pathogens, while adaptive immunity is highly specific. Likewise, another important difference between innate immunity and adaptive immunity is their composition. Innate immunity includes physical and chemical barriers, phagocytosis of white blood cells, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and plasma proteins, while adaptive immunity includes T and B lymphocytes.

Moreover, the innate immune response is faster, while the adaptive immune response is slower. Moreover, another difference between innate immunity and adaptive immunity is that innate immunity cannot develop immune memory, while adaptive immunity can develop immune memory against specific antigens.

Summary

Innate immunity and adaptive immunity are the two main types of immunity in the human body. Innate immunity provides the first line of defense against infection in a non-specific manner. Although innate immunity is non-specific, it is very fast. In contrast, adaptive immunity can provide slow specific immunity. It is activated after exposure to antigen. Moreover, adaptive immunity can establish immune memory against antigens.