adaptive immunity
Last reviewed 11/2020
- possess a high degree of specificity and evoke a more potent response on secondary exposure to the pathogen
- adaptive immune system frequently
incorporates cells and molecules of the innate system in its fight against harmful
pathogens
- for example, complement (molecules of the innate system) may be activated by antibodies (molecules of the adaptive system)
- adaptive immune system comprises two main types of leucocyte known as B and T lymphocytes
- the
lymphoid organs are classified as
- primary lymphoid organs
- bone marrow
- secondary lymphoid organs
- lymph nodes
- MALT - mucosa associated lymphoid tissue e.g. bronchus, gut, nasal tissues
- spleen
- primary lymphoid organs
-
T lymphocytes mature in the thymus
- premature T cells undergo a process of positive and negative selection whereby the former are allowed to progress to maturity whilst the latter are marked for termination via apoptosis (programmed cell death)