Question

Discuss the difference between innate and adaptive immune responses. Be sure to include first, second, and third lines of defense. (USLO 7.1)

Answer 1

Answer

Our immune system consist of two parts The Innate(General) immune system and the Adaptive (Specilalized) Immune system.These systems work together for fighting germs and foreign substance on the skin,tissues of the body and in the body fluids.

The innate immune system

It forms the first line defense against germs entering the body.It is also called as Nonspecific immune system,beacuse it responds in the same way to all germs and foreign substances.It has the power to destroy the micro organism with in few hours after entering the body,so it acts very quickly.But it has limited power to stop germs from spreading throghout the body.

The innate immune system comprised of following

1.Protection offered by the skin mucous membranes

2. Protection offered by the immune system cells and proteins

The Adaptive immune system

The main characteristic feature of adaptive immune system include its function against specific germs.It specifically targets the type of germs that cause body infection.It take over the function of Innate immune system is that not able to destroy the germs.

Compared to Innate immune system it responds slowly against germs.But it has got the advantage of identifying the germ,that encountered in the past.those cases Adaptive immune system can respond faster.Thats why second infection with in the same organism becomes less noticed.

Adaptive immune system comprised of following

-T Lymphocytes in the tissues between the bodys cells

- B Lymphocytes,also found in the tissue between the bodys cells

-Antibodies in the blood and other bodily fluids

3 Lines of immune defense

Our body has got 3 lines of immune defense

-First line forms the outer barrier like Skin

-Second line forms immune cells like Macrophages

-Third line forms the Specific immune systems like Lymphocytes

First line immune system is the innate immune system of our body,Seond line comes under Adaptive immune system.

Summary

The Innate immune system is Non specific,Rapidly responding,first line immune system of the body,whereas the Adaptive immune system is the Specific,Slowly acting,Second line immune system of the body.