Specificity of the Immune System: How It Targets and Eliminates Foreign Substances

One characteristic of the immune response is specificity. This means that

immunity is directed against a particular pathogen

the immune system is able to differentiate between different foreign substances, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, and mount a response that is specific to each one.

This specificity is due to the fact that immune cells, such as T cells and B cells, have receptors on their surface that are designed to recognize and bind to specific antigens or parts of antigens. When a specific antigen binds to its corresponding receptor on an immune cell, it triggers a cascade of events that leads to the activation and proliferation of the immune cells that can specifically recognize and respond to that antigen.

Therefore, the immune response is able to target and eliminate specific pathogens or foreign substances, while leaving the body’s healthy cells and tissues unaffected. This is a crucial characteristic of the immune system, as it allows for a precise and effective response to a wide range of potential threats to the body.

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