Chapter 48, Problem 1TYK

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

The immunity is the ability of the immune system to defend the animal against the invading pathogens. This system is involved in preventing the entry of the pathogen. If a pathogen enters, it detects and activates the immune response for clearing the pathogen from the body. The first line of defense is innate immunity that occurs in all animals and has a rapid response. The adaptive immunity is the second line of defense, if the pathogen has been encountered for the first time. It is a slow response.

Answer to Problem 1TYK

Correct answer:

The adaptive immunity is capable of creating memory and is specific when compared with innate immunity. The innate immunity differs from the adaptive response in the generation of memory.

Explanation of Solution

Explanation/justification for the correct answer:

Option (c) is given that the adaptive response generates immunological memory and is more specific than the innate response. The innate immunity and adaptive immunity are referred to as fast and slow responses against the pathogen, respectively. The cells are adapted for a specific pathogen in adaptive immunity, whereas the first cells that are active against a pathogen contribute to innate immunity. The adaptive immune response is capable of creating the memory after the first encounter of the pathogen. Hence, option (c) is correct.

Explanation for incorrect answers:

Option (a) is given that the innate immune response can distinguish between the different pathogens, but it lacks the ability to distinguish between the strains of the same organism. So, it is a wrong answer.

Option (b) is given that the antigen is capable of inducing innate as well as adaptive response. If the antigen has been previously encountered, then it activates the adaptive response. So, it is a wrong answer.

Option (d) is given that innate response does not kill cells; the adaptive response does. There are many cells of innate immune system like white blood cells, or leukocytes, that defend and protect the human body by actively phagocyting foreign invaders. So, it is a wrong answer.

Hence, options (a), (b), and (d) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Therefore, the innate immune response lacks the ability to distinguish between different strains of organisms and also the generation of immunological memory. The adaptive immune response includes antibodies, which contribute to this feature.