IMMUNITY

B.Sc.
Part-II, (Sub/Gen)
IMMUNITY-II Dr. Vandana Kumari,

Department of Zoology,
R.C.S. College, Manjhaul
INTRODUCTION
Normally our body is exposed to a number of pathogens. How efficiently our body protects
itself from these pathogens depends upon the complex defence system of our body.
The defence system for our body consists of a multilevel network of Innate or non specific and
adaptive or specific immunity. It is referred to as the first, second and third line of defence, as
the interaction and cooperation of these three levels of defence provides complete protection
against any infection.
We have learnt from the last lecture that immunity is the ability of an individual to resist
against infection by pathogens. The group of cells tissues and organs which carry out this
function constitute the immune system.
LINES OF DEFENCE
The Immune System has 3 Lines of defence Against Foreign Pathogens:
1. Physical and Chemical Barriers (Innate Immunity)
2. Nonspecific Resistance (Innate Immunity)
3. Specific Resistance (Acquired Immunity)
FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE
Physical barrier
•The skin has thick layer of dead cells in the epidermis which provides a physical
barrier. Periodic shedding of the epidermis removes microbes.
•The mucous membranes produce mucus that trap microbes.
•Hair within the nose filters air containing microbes, dust, pollutants
•Cilia lines the upper respiratory tract traps and propels inhaled debris to throat
•Urine flushes microbes out of the urethra
•Defecation and vomiting -expel microorganisms.
Chemical Barriers
•Lysozyme-an enzyme produced in tears, perspiration, and saliva can break

down cell walls and thus acts as an antibiotic (kills bacteria)
•Gastric juice- in the stomach destroys bacteria and most toxins because the
gastric juice is highly acidic (pH 2-3)
•Saliva- dilutes the number of microorganisms and washes the teeth and mouth
•Acidity- on skin inhibit bacterial growth
•Sebum- (unsaturated fatty acids) provides a protective film on the skin and
inhibits growth.
SECOND LINE OF DEFENCE
The second line of defence is nonspecific resistance that destroys invaders in a generalized way
without targeting specific individuals:
•Phagocytic cells ingest and destroy all microbes that pass into body tissues. For
example macrophages are cells derived from monocytes (a type of white blood cell). Macrophages
leave the bloodstream and enter body tissues to patrol for pathogens. When the macrophage
encounters a microbe, this is what happens:
• The microbe attaches to the phagocyte.
• The phagocyte's plasma membrane extends and surrounds the microbe and takes the microbe
into the cell in a vesicle.
• The vesicle merges with a lysosome, which contains digestive enzymes.
• The digestive enzymes begin to break down the microbe. The phagocyte uses any nutrients it can
and leaves the rest as indigestible material and antigenic fragments within the vesicle.
• The phagocyte makes protein markers, and they enter the vesicle.
• The indigestible material is removed by exocytosis.
• The antigenic fragments bind to the protein marker and are displayed on the plasma membrane
surface. The macrophage then secretes interleukin-1 which activates the T cells to secrete
interleukin 2, as described below under specific resistance .
•Inflammation is a localized tissue response that occurs when your tissues are
damaged and in response to other stimuli. Inflammation brings more white
blood cells to the site where the microbes have invaded. The inflammatory
response produces swelling, redness, heat, pain
•Fever inhibits bacterial growth and increases the rate of tissue repair during
an infection.
THIRD LINE OF DEFENCE
Specific Resistance (Acquired Immunity)
The third line of defence is specific resistance. This system relies on antigens, which are specific substances
found in foreign microbes.
Most antigens are proteins that serve as the stimulus to produce an immune response. The term "antigen"
comes from ANTI-body Generating substances.
Here are the steps in an immune response:
1.When an antigen is detected by a macrophage (as describe above under phagocytosis), this causes the
T-cells to become activated.
The activation of T-cells by a specific antigen is called cell-mediated immunity. The body contains millions
of different T-cells, each able to respond to one specific antigen.
2.The T-cells secrete interleukin 2. Interleukin 2 causes the proliferation of certain cytotoxic T cells and B
cells.
3.From here, the immune response follows 2 paths: one path uses cytotoxic T cells and the other uses B cells.
INNATE IMMUNITY
Innate or Natural immunity:
•Immunity with which an individual is born is called innate or natural immunity.
•Innate immunity is provided by various components such as Skin, mucus
membrane, Phagocytic cells etc.
•Innate immunity acts as first line of defence to particular microorganisms.
TYPES OF INNATE IMMUNITY
Types of innate immunity:
1.Species immunity
2.Racial immunity
3.Individual immunity
1. Species immunity:
•If one species is resistant to certain infection and the other species is
susceptible to the same infection then it is called as species immunity.
•Anatomic, physiological and metabolic differences between species determine
species immunity. For example, Birds are resistant to anthrax but Human are
susceptible. It is simply because higher body temperature of birds
kills Bacillus anthracis.
•Anatomic differences between species also determine species immunity. For
example, Human are more susceptible to skin infection whereas Cattles are
more resistant to the same skin infection. It is because of tough and hairy skin
(hides) of Cattles.
2. Racial immunity:
•If one race is susceptible while other race is resistant to same infection, then it
is called Racial immunity.
•For examples; certain African race are more resistant to malaria and yellow
fever where are Asian or Americans are susceptible to same infection.
Similarly Orientals (East Asia) are relatively resistant to syphilis.
•Racial immunity is determined by difference in Socio-economic status, habitat,
culture feeding habits, environments, genetic, etc.
3. Individual immunity:
•If one individual of certain race or cast is resistant while other individuals of
same race or cast are susceptible to certain infection, then it is called as
individual immunity
•Individual immunity is determined by various factors such as health status,
nutritional status, previous illness, personal hygiene, genetic differences etc.
•For examples; Individual with genetic deficiency of glucose-6 phosphate
dehydrogenase are resistant to Malaria.
CELLULAR COMPONENT OF INNATE IMMUNITY
ACQUIRED IMMUNITY
•Immunity which is developed later in life after microbial infection in host is
called as Acquired or developed immunity. For example, If an individual is
infected with chicken pox virus, he/she become resistant to same virus in later
life.
•Acquired immunity is provided by Antibodies and certain T-lymphocytes.
•Components of acquired immunity such as Antibodies and T- cells are specific
to particular microorganism. Therefore acquired immunity is also known as
Specific immunity.
ACQUIRED IMMUNITY
TYPES OF ACQUIRED IMMUNITY
1. Active immunity:
•If host itself produces antibodies, it is called active immunity.
•It is of two types; artificial active immunity and natural active immunity.
•Artificial active immunity: Immunity provided by vaccination.
•Natural active immunity: immunity provided by natural infection.
2. Passive immunity:
•If host does not produce antibodies itself but antibodies produced in other host provides
immunity, than it is known as Passive immunity.
•It is of two types; natural passive immunity and Artificial passive immunity
•Natural passive immunity: IgG antibody produced in mother cross placenta and protects
fetus up to 6 month old age.
•Artificial passive immunity: if preformed antibody are injected into host for immunity. E.g.
Anti-venom, Rabies vaccine (* it is not a vaccine, it is preformed anti rabies antibody)

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B.Sc.

IMMUNITY-II Dr. Vandana Kumari,

•Lysozyme-an enzyme produced in tears, perspiration, and saliva can break

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