Adaptive immunity
The generation of a specific response to an antigen is referred to as active (adaptive) immunity. Active immunity plays a vital role in immune responses in the event of re-exposure and utilization of vaccines.
- possesses a high degree of specificity and evokes a more potent response on secondary exposure to the pathogen
- the adaptive immune system frequently incorporates cells and molecules of the innate system in its fight against harmful pathogens
- for example, complement (molecules of the innate system) may be activated by antibodies (molecules of the adaptive system)
- the adaptive immune system comprises two main types of leucocyte known as B and T lymphocytes
- the lymphoid organs are classified as
- primary lymphoid organs
- bone marrow
- secondary lymphoid organs
- lymph nodes
- MALT - mucosa associated lymphoid tissue e.g. bronchus, gut, nasal tissues
- spleen
- primary lymphoid organs
- T lymphocytes mature in the thymus
- premature T cells undergo a process of positive and negative selection whereby the former are allowed to progress to maturity whilst the latter are marked for termination via apoptosis (programmed cell death)
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