The immune system connects tissues, cells, proteins and tissues. This process is responsible for protecting the body against infections and getting rid of dead and malfunctioning cells.
Currently, there are three types of human immunity – passive, innate and adaptive. In this article, we will explore the difference between innate immunity and adaptation.
What is Innate Immunity?
The innate immune system, also known as the abnormal immune system, is the part of the immune system that provides the first line of immunity Immune molecules and receptors provide important protection.
In fact, it is the natural defense of all plants and animals. It develops a unique set of molecules that can detect almost any invading bacteria.
Basically, the initial response is slow and very specific to invading bacteria. However, the secondary invasion response is rapid and forms the basis of vaccination.
The innate immune system consists of various cells such as eosinophils, monocytes, macrophages, natural killer cells, Tor-like receptors (TLRs), and a series of soluble mediators such as the complement system.
What is Adaptive Immunity?
A flexible or differentiated immune response mainly attacks specific invaders. It consists of highly differentiated thymus-derived T lymphocytes and bone marrow-derived B lymphocytes.
These cells can recognize various foreign antigens with great precision and generate immune memories that identify pathogens that have been encountered in the past.
There are two types of adaptive immunity: humoral immunity and intracellular immunity. Immune molecules secreted by B lymphocytes, which neutralize pathogens outside cells, mediate humoral immunity, while T lymphocytes, which can eliminate infected cells and assist other immune responses, mediate immunity immunity to disease.
Difference Between Innate and Adaptive Immunity
| Innate Immunity | Adaptive Immunity |
| Definition | |
| Innate immunity is general and non-specific, it is also the first line of defence against pathogens | Also called acquired immunity, this type of immunity is built up as we are exposed to diseases or get vaccinated. |
| Line of Defence | |
| First line of defence | Second line of defence. If pathogens pass through innate immunity, then adaptive immunity kicks in. |
| Specificity | |
| Non-specific | Specific |
| Response Interval | |
| Short/ Immediate | Slower than innate |
| Potency/ Effectiveness | |
| Low potency compared to adaptive immunity | Highly effective against pathogens |
| Inheritance | |
| Can be inherited | Cannot be inherited |
| Memory | |
| Cannot “remember” pathogens | Adaptive immunity can “remember” past pathogens that has been encountered |
| Formation/ Development | |
| Present at birth | Develops over the lifespan of the individual |
| Distribution | |
| Found in both vertebrates and invertebrates | Exclusive to vertebrates |
| Components | |
| Skin, mucous, mucous membranes, epithelial cells, phagocytes etc. | Lymphoid organs that produce specialized cells called T cells and B cells |
| Example | |
| A cut on the skin, if it results in swelling and inflammation, is an example of innate immunity at work. | Diseases like chicken pox enable the adaptive immune system to “remember”. Hence, the likelihood of contracting the illness is greatly minimized |
