Innate Immunity

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In a healthy individual, the bloodstream remains sterile – free of any pathogens. The immune system, which is responsible for defending the body against pathogens, is a very complex and vital body system. The immune system involves both innate and adaptive immunity. Innate immunity functions as the “first responder” system of the body. The skin, the mucous membranes are the first line of defense in innate immunity. The skin and mucous membranes serve to prevent microbes from entering the body. If microbes enter the body, then the tears, saliva, urine flow, vaginal secretions, defecation, vomiting, and perspiration will try to expel them. If the microbes are able to get through these defenses and enter the body, then the second line of defense will be activated. The second line of defense includes antimicrobial substances, natural killer cells, phagocytes, …show more content…
Adaptive immunity is specific for certain antigens, and it remembers antigens that it has encountered previously. Lymphatic tissue, specifically red bone marrow and the thymus, produces B and T cells. Both B and T cells play roles in the adaptive immune response. T cells can be either helper T cells (CD4 T cells) or cytotoxic T cells (CD8 T cells). CD4 T cells directly attack antigens in cell-mediated immunity whereas in antibody-mediated immunity, the B cells make antibodies that inactivate specific antigens. Helper T cells help in both cell-mediated and antibody-mediated immune responses. If a pathogen is within the cell, then cell-mediated immunity will be initiated. If the pathogen is extracellular, then antibody-mediated immunity, also known as humoral immunity, will be the body’s choice of defense. T cells are inactive until they are activated by an antigen and a costimulatory substance, such as cytokines or plasma membrane

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