The innate defense system, also called the nonspecific defense system, responds immediately

to protect the body from all foreign substances, whatever they are. We are born with our innate
defenses, which include intact skin and mucous membranes, the inflammatory response, and a
number of proteins produced by body cells. These innate mechanisms reduce the workload of the
adaptive defense mechanisms by generally preventing the entry and spread of microorganisms
throughout the body. The adaptive defense system, or specific defense system, fights invaders
that get past the innate defenses by mounting an attack against one or more particular foreign
substances. When our immune system is operating effectively, it protects us from most bacteria,
viruses, transplanted organs or grafts, and even our own cells that have “turned against” us
(cancer cells). The immune system does this both directly, by cell attack, and indirectly, by
releasing mobilizing chemicals and protective antibody molecules. The resulting highly specific
resistance to disease is called immunity (immun = free). Unlike the innate defenses, which are
always prepared to defend the body, the adaptive system must first “meet,” or be sensitized by,
an initial exposure to a foreign substance (antigen) before it can protect the body against the
invader. Another important feature of the adaptive response is that it “remembers” which
invaders it has fought. Nonetheless, what the adaptive system lacks in speed it makes up for in
the precision of its counterattacks. Although we consider them separately, keep in mind that
innate and adaptive defenses always work hand-in-hand to protect the body.