Once exposure to a pathogen occurs, the
innate immune system should immediately recognize it as “nonself” & begin to attack it.
body’s immune system begins to respond to the foreign invader. This response includes the activation of immune cells, such as T cells and B cells, which work together to identify and destroy the pathogen.
The initial response to a pathogen is called the innate immune response. This response is non-specific and includes the activation of immune cells like macrophages and natural killer cells, which engulf and destroy pathogens. These cells also secrete chemical messengers called cytokines, which help recruit other immune cells to the site of infection and stimulate the adaptive immune response.
The adaptive immune response is more specific and involves the activation of T cells and B cells, which can recognize specific parts of the pathogen called antigens. T cells help to destroy infected cells and coordinate the immune response, while B cells produce antibodies that can bind to and neutralize the pathogen.
Over time, the immune response to a pathogen can lead to the development of immunological memory, which allows the body to mount a more rapid and effective response if it is exposed to the pathogen again in the future. This is the basis of vaccination, which involves the administration of a weakened or killed version of a pathogen to stimulate the adaptive immune response and produce immunological memory without causing disease.
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