Adaptive immunity
Definition
Adaptive immunity is a specialized and highly specific response to pathogens involving T cells and B cells. It provides long-lasting protection through memory cells that quickly react to previously encountered antigens.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Adaptive immunity involves two main types of lymphocytes: T cells and B cells.
- Memory cells are produced during an adaptive immune response, allowing for quicker reactions upon re-exposure to the same pathogen.
- The primary response occurs when the immune system first encounters a pathogen, while the secondary response is faster and more effective due to memory cells.
- Antibodies produced by B cells can neutralize pathogens or mark them for destruction by other immune cells.
- T helper cells assist in activating both B cells and cytotoxic T cells, which directly kill infected host cells.
Review Questions
- What are the two main types of lymphocytes involved in adaptive immunity?
- How do memory cells contribute to adaptive immunity?
- What role do antibodies play in the adaptive immune response?
"Adaptive immunity" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Related terms
Antigen: A substance that triggers an immune response by being recognized as foreign by the immune system
Cytotoxic T Cell: A type of T cell that kills infected or cancerous host cells directly
B Cell: A type of lymphocyte that produces antibodies as part of the humoral immune response
