Acquired Immunity: Types, Mechanisms, and Benefits for Long-Lasting Protection

acquired immunity

developed by exposure to disease or through immunization , givin ghe body the ability to protect itself

Acquired immunity is the type of immunity that develops over time as an individual’s immune system interacts with foreign substances such as antigens or pathogens. This type of immunity is more active in the body of an organism compared to the passive immunity that is transferred from one individual to the other. Acquired immunity can be divided into two categories; humoral immunity and cell-mediated immunity.

1) Humoral immunity: This type of acquired immunity is mediated by B cells, which are a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies. When a foreign substance enters the body, the B cells are activated, they differentiate into plasma cells and start producing antibodies which are specific for the particular antigen. These antibodies circulate in the blood, lymph and other body fluids, bind to the antigens and mark them for destruction by other immune cells such as phagocytes.

2) Cell-mediated immunity: This type of immunity is mediated by T cells, which are another type of white blood cell. When a foreign substance enters the body, antigens are presented to T cells, and the T cells are activated. There are two types of T cells; helper T cells and cytotoxic T cells. Helper T cells assist B cells in producing antibodies while cytotoxic T cells directly attack and destroy cells that are infected with the pathogen or tumor.

Acquired immunity is long-lasting and provides protection against future infections from the same antigen. This is because the immune system “remembers” the antigen and can respond more quickly and effectively in the event of a subsequent infection. Vaccination is an example of acquired immunity, where the immune system is exposed to a weakened or dead pathogen, triggering an immune response and the development of immunity to that pathogen.

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