Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses on First and Subsequent Exposure to a Pathogen

The immune system depends on the body’s structures to help it function. For instance, the skin acts as the “body’s first line of defense.” If a pathogen finds a breach in the skin barrier, it is the circulatory system that must now signal the immune system of the invader. Shortly after, white blood cells will be notified of the infection and will target and destroy the pathogen.

The innate immune system is effective to a certain degree. That said, if the environment is regulated then the body is less likely to get ill. Innate immunity is effective as once the patient matures his immune system will mature due to the B and T memory cells. The memory cells will help the body prepare for the virus once it has arrived. The memory cells will send specialised lymph nodes to the invading pathogen. The B and T memory cells are key to immunity of a virus.

Innate immunity refers to nonspecific defense mechanisms that come into play immediately or within hours of an antigen's appearance in the body. Adaptive immunity refers to antigen-specific immune response.

The body’s protection against viruses, bacteria and other types of invasions is our immune system (Tortora, 2014).

The innate and adaptive immune response start with exposure to an antigen in the epithelium of

Innate Immune System – Nonspecific and abrupt first response; comprised of epithelial surfaces (physical barriers), neutrophils, and macrophages.

Defense mechanisms are said to be specific because depending on which one they focus on one specific part of the body or a specific type of pathogen.

Adaptive immunity (p.446): The body’s ability to recognize and defend itself against distinct invaders and their products.

The nonspecific immune system is also known as the innate immune system. It is the first line of immunological defense against infection. Referred to as a ‘natural immunity’ and providing a broad range of protection by the molecules and receptors of the immune system. A diverse set of molecules are generated that are able to recognize practically any invading pathogens. If there is a second attack the response is rapid, hence the reason for vaccines.

The immune system is the bodies surveillance system to keep it safe from intruders. The important cells and organs inside the body are initially kept safe by mechanical barriers such as skin and cough reflexes. If the intruder gets past the physical barrier, there are security guards patrolling the body including good bacteria, buffers and pH changes and secretion of enzymes (Price, 2015, p.13). Unfortunately, this security system is not completely protected. There is potential for bacteria and viruses to get past each layer of defense causing an infection.

The immune system has dual natures in series with non-self/self recognition being the most important. Other natures are adaptive/nature or acquired/innate, secondary/primary, passive/active, humoral/cell mediated and some parts or antigen specific. Antigen specific means when it recognizes certain antigens it will act upon them. Some pats are systemic which is the don't just stay at the infected area but go through the body and they have memory, so when they come the same antigen again they know, they will attack it even stronger. The non-self/self recognition is every cell has marker based on the major histocompatibility complex and cells without this marker or attacked as non-self. This works so well that proteins that are not digested treated the same as antigens.

In humans there are two deffensive lines that viruses and bacteria must cross, the outside barriers and the innate internal ones, the innate ones are fully ready to respond to attack before any foreign enemy has even been encountered. The external deffenses include skin, mucous membranes and secretions; while the internal ones include white blood cells, defensive proteins, and inflammatory response. The lymphatic system is the system that is behind the use of the innate and and adaptive defenses, most vessels contain the white blood cells that

The immune system consists of a defense system that guards the body against invasion from infections and other diseases. Normally, a healthy person's immune system has the capability to differentiate between its own cells and cells that represent threats to the health of the body. (Craft and Kanter, 2002). Autoimmune disease refers to a broad range of over 80 acute, long-lasting diseases that affect nearly every organ in the body. (Wrong Diagnosis.com, 2000).

The body has two immune systems: the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system.

Normally the body is protected by the immune system. When the immune system detects an unwelcome visitor such as fungi, bacteria and or viruses