🛡️ Immunity – Basic Summary
1. What is Immunity?
Immunity is the body’s defense system that protects against infections, diseases, and foreign substances.
---
2. Types of Immunity
A. Innate Immunity (Non-specific / Natural)
Present from birth
First line of defense
Fast response (minutes)
No memory
Components:
1. Physical barriers: Skin, mucous membranes
2. Chemical barriers: Acid in stomach, lysozyme in tears
3. Cellular barriers:
Neutrophils
Macrophages
NK cells
Dendritic cells
4. Proteins: Complement system, cytokines
---
B. Adaptive Immunity (Specific / Acquired)
Develops after infection or vaccination
Slow initial response
Has memory → faster, stronger response next time
Types:
1. Humoral Immunity
Mediated by B-cells
Produces antibodies (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, IgD)
Good for extracellular bacteria & toxins
2. Cell-Mediated Immunity
Mediated by T-cells
CD4+ T-helper cells → activate B cells & macrophages
CD8+ Cytotoxic T-cells → kill virus-infected cells
Good for viruses, intracellular bacteria, cancers
---
3. Types of Adaptive Immunity (by source)
Type How You Get It Example
Natural Active Infection Chickenpox & immunity
Natural Passive Maternal antibodies IgG via placenta
Artificial Active Vaccination Hepatitis B vaccine
Artificial Passive Given antibodies Antivenom, IVIG
---
4. Antigens & Antibodies
Antigen: Any foreign substance that triggers an immune response
Antibody (Ig): Protein produced by B-cells to neutralize antigens
---
5. Primary vs Secondary Response
Primary: First exposure — slow, low antibody level (IgM first)
Secondary: Re-exposure — fast, high antibody level (IgG dominates)
---
6. Key Immune Organs
Primary:
Bone marrow
Thymus
Secondary:
Lymph nodes
Spleen
Peyer’s patches
Tonsils
---
7. Complement System
Group of proteins that enhance immunity
Functions: Opsonization, inflammation, MAC lysis
---
8. Inflammation (Basic 5 signs)
1. Redness (rubor)
2. Heat (calor)
3. Swelling (tumor)
4. Pain (dolor)
5. Loss of function (functio laesa)
---
9. Hypersensitivity Types (I–IV)
Type Mechanism Example
I IgE, immediate Anaphylaxis, asthma
II IgG, cytotoxic ABO incompatibility
III Immune complex SLE, serum sickness
IV T-cell mediated TB test, contact dermatitis