Question

Why would the adaptive immune system be more effective than the innate system to fight off Pertussis?

Answer 1

Pertussis is caused by a bacteria bordetella pertussis.

- Innate immunity is mediated by cells and Proteins that are always present and poised to fight against microbes, called into action immediately in response to infection.

- the major components of innate immunity are epithelial barrier of the skin , G I tract, respiratory tract which prevents microbes entry .

- the innate immune response is able to prevent and control many infection . However many pathogenic microbes have evolved to overcome the early defences and protection against these infection requires more specialised and powerful mechanism of adaptive immunity.

- the components of adaptive immune system are lymphocytes and their products.

- There are two types of adaptive immune response; humoral immunity , mediated by soluble proteins called antibodies that are produced by B- lymphocytes , and cell - mediated immunity, mediated by T- lymphocytes.

-Antibiotics provide protection against extracellular microbes in the blood, mucosal Secretions , and tissues . T-Lymphocytes are important in defence against intracellular microbes. They work by either directly killing infected cells, accomplished by cytotoxic T-cells, or by activating phagocytes to kill ingested microbes, via producing cytokines.

Hence adaptive immune system is more effective than innate immunity to fight off pertussis.

Hopefully this helps, thanks.