adaptive immunity
- Created by: Sophie
- Created on: 01-05-13 13:48
- Adaptive Immunity
Not present from birth
Specific
Becomes more efficient on subsequent exposure to the same pathogens
Responds to pathogens but not to own cells
It knows if the body has previously encountered the pathogen
It involves: Immunological recognition, self/non-self discrimination, immunological specificity, immunological memory
- Lymphocytes
Have the capacity to recognise pathogens
2 main types: T-cells (mature in thymus) and B cells (mature in bone marrow)
These 2 types of lymphocytes are used in 3 ways to fight infection:
1. Elimination of extracellular pathogens directly
2. Elimination of pathogens which survive after phagocytosis by macrophages
3. Elimination of pathogens which infect non-immune cells
1. Elimination of extracellular microorganisms directly
In response to infection B-cells mature into plasma cells
These are transported around the body in blood plasma and the lymphatic system
Plasma cells secrete antibodies (soluble recognition molecules)
Antibody recognises structures, or epitopes, on the surface of pathogens (proteins, carbohydrates or lipids)
Antibody is soluble and diffuses to target microorganisms
Binding of antibody to…
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