In this article we will discuss about the attributes of acquired immunity. Acquired immunity or Adaptive immune response reflects the presence of a functional immune system that is capable of specifically recognizing and selectively eliminating foreign microorganisms and molecules. Unlike innate immune responses, adaptive immune responses are not the same in all the members of a species, but are specific [...]
The following points highlight the four main components of innate immunity. The components are: 1. Physical and Chemical or Anatomical Barriers 2. Phagocytic Barriers 3. Blood Proteins 4. Cytokines. Component # 1. Physical and Chemical or Anatomical Barriers: Physical and Chemical or Anatomical barriers that tend to prevent the entry of pathogens are an organism's first line of defense against [...]
Several types of hypersensitive reactions can be identified, reflecting differences in the effector molecules generated in the course of the reaction. Gell and Coomb described four types of hypersensitivity reactions (Types I, II, III and IV). The first three types are antibody-mediated and the fourth type is mediated mainly by T-cell and macro-phases i.e. cell-mediated (Table 11.1 and 11.2; Fig. [...]