Punzalan, Nicole D.

DEFENSES OF THE HOST

1. Differentiate innate and adaptive immunity.

➢ Innate immunity - Refers to nonspecific defense mechanisms that come
into play immediately or within hours of an antigen's appearance in the
body. These mechanisms include physical barriers such as skin,
chemicals in the blood, and immune system cells that attack foreign cells
in the body. The innate immune response is activated by chemical
properties of the antigen.
➢ Adaptive immunity - refers to antigen-specific immune response. The
adaptive immune response is more complex than the innate. The antigen
first must be processed and recognized. Once an antigen has been
recognized, the adaptive immune system creates an army of immune cells
specifically designed to attack that antigen. Adaptive immunity also
includes a "memory" that makes future responses against a specific
antigen more efficient.

2. Explain how the following form the first line of defense:

2.1. Intact skin
➢ It has thick layer of dead cells in the epidermis which provides a
physical barrier. Periodic shedding of the epidermis removes
microbes.

2.2. Mucous membranes and their secretions

➢ Produce mucus that trap microbes.

2.3. Normal microbiota

➢ can be key players helping the body fight off infection

3. Explain how the following form the second line of defense

3.1. Phagocytes, such as neutrophils, eosinophils, dendritic cells, and

macrophages
➢ Phagocytes circulate throughout the body, looking for potential threats,
like bacteria and viruses, to engulf and destroy. You can think of
phagocytes as security guards on patrol.
3.2. Inflammation
➢ The chemicals communicate with other cells and coordinate the
inflammatory response.
3.3. Fever
➢ Fever also causes the immune system to make more white blood cells to fight
the infection.
 3.4. Antimicrobial substances
➢ Antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics, disinfectants and
preservatives have been widely used to control or kill microorganisms
in the past and will continue to be in long-term use.

4. Explain how the following form the third line of defense:

4.1. Specialized lymphocytes: T cells and B cells
➢ B cells - White blood cells that produce antibodies and aid in
immunological memory
➢ T cells - White blood cells specialized to assist B cells (helper T) and
others directly kills infected cells (killer T)
4.2. Antibodies
➢ Specialized Y-shaped protein that tags antigens for destruction.