What is meant by specific immunity?
defense against communicable disease In disease: Immunity. Specific immunity is acquired during the organism's lifetime and involves the activation of white blood cells (B and T lymphocytes), which distinguish and react to foreign substances.
How does the specific immune system use antigens?
When the body senses foreign substances (called antigens), the immune system works to recognize the antigens and get rid of them. B lymphocytes are triggered to make antibodies (also called immunoglobulins). These proteins lock onto specific antigens.
Why is it important to have both specific and non specific immunity?
Nonspecific protective mechanisms repel all microorganisms equally, while the specific immune responses are tailored to particular types of invaders. Both systems work together to thwart organisms from entering and proliferating within the body.
What is an example of a specific immune response?
For example, the smallpox vaccine contains the antigens specific to smallpox. When a person is vaccinated against smallpox, the immune system responds by stimulating antibody-producing cells that are capable of making smallpox antibodies.
What are examples of non specific immunity?
Nonspecific defenses include anatomic barriers, inhibitors, phagocytosis, fever, inflammation, and IFN.
What cells are involved in specific immune responses?
Targeted responders: cells known as lymphocytes, which target invaders by producing proteins called antibodies that target specific antigens. This process is a targeted or specific immune response.
What is the difference between specific and non specific?
Immunity is categorized into two types; Specific or nonspecific immunity. Specific immunity is the production of antibodies against a particular antigen. Nonspecific immunity, on the other hand, is the immunity directed against all types of antigens without selecting a specific type.
What is specific immunity quizlet?
Specific Immunity. -Provides protection against one specific substance but no others. -Protect against a specific foreign substance. Ex) Measles virus (a specific pathogen) -Lymphocytes (B & T lymphocytes) and macrophages play a key role.
What are the properties of non specific immunity?
Non-Specific Defense. Non-specific defense (innate immunity) consists of mechanisms that either keep pathogens out or destroy them regardless of their type. Non-specific defense includes mechanical barriers, chemical substances, cells and inflammation. Mechanical barriers include the skin and mucous membranes.
How is specific immunity acquired?
Basis of Acquired Resistance This specificity may be acquired following a disease, by asymptomatic carriage of the pathogen, by harboring an organism with a similar structure (crossreacting,) or by vaccination. Specific acquired immunity against infectious diseases may be mediated by antibodies and/or T lymphocytes.
What are the major attributes of specific immunity?
Adaptive immunity is defined by two important characteristics: specificity and memory. Specificity refers to the adaptive immune system's ability to target specific pathogens, and memory refers to its ability to quickly respond to pathogens to which it has previously been exposed.
Which role does an antigen serve in the immune system quizlet?
Antigens are foreign molecules that are recognized by the immune system. They can bind to antigen-specific receptors (antibodies and T cell receptors). Antigens that do not bind, do not induce an immune response.
What role do antigens play in the body quizlet?
Antigens are any molecules that elicit adaptive immune responses. Antigens protrude from pathogens or other intruding substances.
What does the specific defense of the immune system use to fight pathogens?
The B lymphocytes (or B-cells) create antibodies and alert the T lymphocytes (or T-cells) to kill the pathogens. White blood cells are a part of the lymphatic system, a network of lymph vessels that collect excess fluids from tissues throughout the body and then return them to your bloodstream.