The immune system is a combination of organs, cells, proteins and tissues. This system is responsible for protecting the body from foreign pathogens and also clearing away dead and malfunctioning cells. Currently, there are three types of immunity in humans – passive, innate, and adaptive. In this article, we shall discover the differences between innate and adaptive immunity.
Difference Between Adaptive Immunity and Innate Immunity |
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| Innate immunity is general and non-specific, it is also the first line of defence against pathogens | Also called acquired immunity, this type of immunity is built up as we are exposed to diseases or get vaccinated. |
| First line of defence | Second line of defence. If pathogens pass through innate immunity, then adaptive immunity kicks in. |
| Non-specific | Specific |
| Short/ Immediate | Slower than innate |
| Low potency compared to adaptive immunity | Highly effective against pathogens |
| Can be inherited | Cannot be inherited |
| Cannot “remember” pathogens | Adaptive immunity can “remember” past pathogens that has been encountered |
| Present at birth | Develops over the lifespan of the individual |
| Found in both vertebrates and invertebrates | Exclusive to vertebrates |
| Skin, mucous, mucous membranes, epithelial cells, phagocytes etc. | Lymphoid organs that produce specialized cells called T cells and B cells |
| A cut on the skin, if it results in swelling and inflammation, is an example of innate immunity at work. | Diseases like chicken pox enable the adaptive immune system to “remember”. Hence, the likelihood of contracting the illness is greatly minimized |
Frequently Asked Questions on Innate and Adaptive Immunity
What is the difference between innate and adaptive immunity?
Innate immunity is the body’s first line of defence against pathogens. It is general and non-specific, which means it does not differentiate between types of pathogens. Adaptive immunity is a type of immunity that is built up as we are exposed to diseases or get vaccinated. It is also called acquired immunity for that reason.
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Very nice and helpful for us 😊